Girl in a green gown : the history and mystery of the Arnolfini portrait

"The Arnolfini portrait, painted by Jan van Eyck in 1434, is one of the world's most famous paintings. It intrigues all who see it. Scholars and the public alike have puzzled over the meaning of this haunting gem of medieval art, a subtle and beautiful double portrait of a wealthy Bruges merchant and his wife. The enigmatic couple seem to be conveying a message to us across the centuries, but what? Is the painting the celebration of marriage or pregnancy, a memorial to a wife who died in childbirth, a fashion statement or a status symbol? Using her acclaimed forensic skills as an art historian, Carola Hicks set out to decode the mystery, uncovering a few surprises along the way. She also tells the fascinating story of the painting's survival through fires, battles, hazardous sea journeys, and its role as a mirror reflecting the culture and history of the time - from jewel of the Hapsburg empire to Napoleonic war trophy. Uniquely, for a masterpiece this old, it can be tracked through every single owner, from the mysterious Mr Arnolfini via various monarchs to a hard-up Waterloo war hero, until it finally came to rest in 1842 as an early star of the National Gallery. These owners, too, have cameo parts in this enthralling story of how an artwork of genius can speak afresh to each new generation"--Publisher's website.;Preface: History and mystery -- Court painter to the Duke of Burgundy -- Bruges, Venice of the West -- Followers of fashion -- Courtier, ambassador, spy: Don Diego de Guevara -- The beads and the brush -- La Grande Mere de l'Europe: Marguerite of Austria -- The furniture -- The Amazon Queen: Marie of Hungary -- The fabrics -- Art lover: Philip II -- The rug -- Spanish palaces: from Philip to Napoleon -- The oranges -- The uninvited King of Spain: Joseph Bonaparte -- The window -- Hero of Waterloo: Colonel James Hay -- The mirror -- The dealers and the Prince and the critics -- The chandelier -- Star of the National Gallery -- The dog -- Pre-Raphaelite idol and Connoisseurs' quest -- Techniques -- Wars and disputes -- Hidden puzzles? -- Interpretations and transformations: the Arnolfinis today. WITH A FOREWORD BY GRAYSON PERRY Carola Hicks sets out to solve the mystery of one of art history's greatest paintings, The Arnolfini Portrait The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck in 1434 hangs in the National Gallery in London and remains a mystery to this day. Is the painting of the girl in the green gown the celebration of marriage or pregnancy, a memorial to a wife who died in childbirth, a fashion statement or a status symbol? Using her acclaimed forensic skills as an art historian, Carola Hicks set out to decode the mystery of one the most enigmatic paintings in the western art. 'This book will send you back to the National Gallery with much sharper eyes' Independent on Sunday "Carola Hicks invests what she calls “the Arnolfini portrait” with a great deal of meaning, and explains at some length what Jan Van Eyck was trying to do when he painted it. Even as she dismisses alternative interpretations, however, she keeps reminding us of the exquisite mastery and the profound influence exhibited by this little wooden panel, measuring less than 2 feet by 3" (Theodore K. Rabb, The Times Literary Supplement, 26 October 2011)