The Arnolfini Portrait is a 1434 oil painting on oak panels by the Early Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck. 

It is one of the most famous and intriguing paintings in the world.

Art historians don’t know who the couple is, but they are thought to be Giovanni de Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, Costanza Trenta. They were most likely part of the Italian merchant class in Flanders and were very, very rich.

At first glance, it appears to be exquisitely rendered but otherwise straightforward. But take a second look, and a more intriguing image emerges. The room in which the Arnolfini’s pose is laden with images that signal wealth, have religious implications or are just odd. Although the room is plausible – as if Jan van Eyck had removed a wall – close examination reveals inconsistencies: there’s not enough space for the chandelier and no sign of a fireplace. It looks like every object was carefully chosen to proclaim the couple’s wealth and social status without risking criticism for aping the aristocracy.

Van Eyck applied several layers of thin translucent glazes to create a painting with an intensity of both tone and color. The glowing colors also help to highlight the realism and to show the material wealth and luxury of Arnolfini’s world.

The perfect gift for wooden jigsaw puzzlers,  this traditional adult wooden jigsaw puzzle can be done time and again. Our wooden jigsaw puzzle artists have included many shaped whimsy wooden jigsaw puzzle pieces that match the themes of the paintings, and we have integrated them in ways that will delight and surprise you as you put the wooden jigsaw puzzle together.