Daniel Pennac on the Unseen Gazes in van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait
Daniel Pennac reflects on Jan van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait" (1434) at the National Gallery, London, focusing on the couple's lack of eye contact and the unsettling gaze of the man in the red turban, believed to be van Eyck himself. Pennac's meditation is prompted by Jean-Philippe Postel's book "Il mistero Arnolfini" (Skira, 2017), which he read with suspense on a high-speed train. Postel's analysis challenges Pennac's memory of the painting, revealing optical illusions and hidden secrets. Pennac resolves to revisit the National Gallery to see the painting anew and to seek on van Eyck's face a sign that he has finally heard the correct interpretation.
Key facts
- Daniel Pennac wrote about Jan van Eyck's 'Arnolfini Portrait' (1434) at the National Gallery, London.
- Pennac focuses on the couple's lack of eye contact and the gaze of the man in the red turban (likely van Eyck).
- Jean-Philippe Postel's book 'Il mistero Arnolfini' (Skira, 2017) prompted Pennac's reflections.
- Pennac read Postel's book on a high-speed train, describing it as suspenseful like a detective novel.
- Postel's analysis deconstructs optical illusions in Pennac's memory of the painting.
- Pennac plans to revisit the National Gallery to see the painting and van Eyck's face.
- The book is published by Skira, Milan, 128 pages, €16, ISBN 9788857234410.
- The article was published on Artribune in 2017.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Pennac
- Jan van Eyck
- Jean-Philippe Postel
Institutions
- National Gallery, London
- Skira
- Artribune
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Milan
- Italy
- Bruges
- Belgium