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The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck is considered one of the most original and complex paintings in Western art history. It depicts a wealthy merchant, long thought to be Giovanni Arnolfini, and his wife. The incredible detail, realism, and use of light make this work remarkable, but it also stands out for the debate that it has inspired over the symbolism of certain elements, including the one lit candle in the chandelier, van Eyck’s unusually placed signature, and what else? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary