One of the most significant works produced during the Northern Renaissance, this composition is believed to be one of the first paintings executed in oils.
A full-length double portrait, it reputedly portrays an Italian merchant and a woman who may or may not be his bride. In 1934, the celebrated art historian Erwin Panofsky proposed that the painting is actually a wedding contract. What can be reliably said is that the piece is one of the first depictions of an interior using orthogonal perspective to create a sense of space that seems contiguous with the viewer’s own; it feels like a painting you could step into.
Europe is also home to many lesser-known gems that offer unique experiences away from the typical tourist crowds. Here are five lesser-known summer destinations in Europe that promise unforgettable adventures and authentic cultural experiences.
