A month of colour - Day 25

Day 25 - Kelly green.
"The betrothal of Arnolfini" by Vermeer.
This painting is one of the most detailed the world has ever seen. Its stunning in real life!
The painting shows the marriage of the two people in the picture. These days we hire  a photographer. Giovanni Arnolfini hired Vermeer! In addition to being a portrait, it is also a legal document showing that the marriage took place. In the background the concave mirror shows the entire scene in reverse, including the artist at his easel. Above the mirror is his signature.  
The  green dress in the painting is so noticeable. It might look like a "shotgun" wedding, or a forced marriage  but this is not the case. It was the fashion at the time  for women to wear their dresses gathered up in front making them look pregnant; perhaps as a sign of virility to demonstrate to their  future husband their ability to give them heirs.

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