Why Frans Hals and Jan Van Eyck are some of the most prominent artists of the seventeenth century

Frans Hals and Jan Van Eyck are some of the most prominent artists of the seventeenth century. The paintings though quite similar, both hail before the 19th century, painted by legendary artists of those times, and they both depict a married couple, marriage, and relationship in the 15 th and 16 th century. Some notable differences of the paintings are the deeper meaning of each one. Jan Eyck recognized as the inventor and creator of oil paintings, his work depicted Christian symbolism. Frans Hals known for his portraiture skills. His drawings came from the inspiration of real-life things and did not contain strong symbolism in them. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck has depictions of Christ and the candles symbolize Christ presence. The couple in the painting stood far apart, which seemed like a type of marriage contract. Through the reflection of the mirror and the signature included in the art, we get a sense of Jan Van Eyck. The painting of the married couple has no symbolic objects and meanings but has more emotions than the Arnofilini Portrait has. The art by Frans Hals depicts a couple holding each other carefully, representing some love and strong affiliations with each other. 

Marie de’ Medici, Queen of France, Landing in Marseille 

Peter Paul Ruben’s painting depicts Marie’s arrival at Marseilles where she would be set to marry King Henry IV. The painting depicts a young Marie’s de Medici walking along the red carpet into the French territory. A French soldier who wears a blue velvet cloak welcomes the young Marie, a young queen to be. The artist in his painting collects ancient and mythical roman figures. The picture showed the three great Nereids of Nereus. They are derived from Greek mythology. They were friendly creatures that lived in the sea, and they depicted that Marie’s travels to Marseille by sea were warm and safe. Italy had a significant role in Ruben’s painting of Marie de Medici. Peter Paul Ruben was a highly commendable artist in Northern Europe. Rubens studies of Greek and Latin texts influenced his paintings. Italy influence in the art came in 1600 when Ruben spent time in Italy for eight years where he acquired studies of ancient sculpture and Michelangelo, Veronese works. It was during his stay in Italy that Ruben Paul he was commissioned with the assistance of Cardinal Jacopo for the high alter of Santa Maria in Vallicella. When he was commissioned to paint Marie, Ruben had acquired much-needed skills in painting from the influence of Italy and its painters.