The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck is widely reg…

The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck is widely regarded as one of the most mysterious and technically advanced paintings of the early Northern Renaissance.

At the center of its intrigue is a small convex mirror on the back wall, measuring only about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. Despite its size, the mirror reflects the entire room in stunning detail — revealing not just the backs of the couple depicted, but also two additional figures and the soft light entering through the window.

This mirror showcases van Eyck’s extraordinary skill in achieving optical realism long before the invention of photography. His pioneering use of oil paint allowed for subtle gradations, luminous color, and precise detail, setting a new standard in Western art.

The painting continues to captivate scholars for its symbolic depth and for the way it blends visual sophistication with narrative ambiguity.