Human Resources Problems Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Human Resources Problems - Assignment Example Based on your text and supplemental readings, what are some of the potential problems associated with employee self-service? After sharing some problems facing self-service, how would you address those problems? What is your professional opinion related to management self-service, where managers have access to more employee information through HRIS systems?In a self-service system like ESS, many errors remain covered for a long time which negatively interferes with the quality process. Though employee satisfaction is increased by use of ESS, many ESS software used by companies have many disadvantages like costs associated with its maintenance, functionality issues, and poor performance. These problems can be rectified by using an ESS software which is specifically designed to meet an organization’s needs.5-Does the web present problems for employee self-service applications? Find an article on this subject and provide a summary of the article, including the web address.Many we b self-service pitfalls have been reported. The web creates problems for ESS applications because every bit of employees’ interaction with employers is automated. Technology is always better and lack of HR automation will seriously affect many organizations in terms of time of costs. Automation of HR functions has relieved the HR professionals from much of the burden because much of the tasks assigned to them by managers and employees can be now handled by themselves by use of ESS and manager self-service.

Book Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Book Questions - Essay Example The implication is that the world’s beautiful, precious and beautiful biodiversity get destroyed virtually every 20 minute. Since the trend of consumerism and therefore energy use is ever on the increase, biodiversity preservation measures must be taken to protect potential loss and extinction. Preservation of biodiversity, according to Friedman, is a duty that calls for multi-sectoral and multi-party approach, involving nations, corporations and individuals. World nations, led by the US have got a duty to reduce the use of carbon based fuels. In particular, they should construct an entirely new system of fuels that is clean, in the sense that they have no or little carbon emission, such as wind, solar and nuclear energy. These should be supplied to homes. The corporations have a duty to put measures calculated to minimize the use of carbon-based fuels, ensure efficient systems that do not blow much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Individuals should also operate under minimu m energy use along reverting to environment friendly energy sources. Other than the loss of biodiversity, hot, flat and crowded world raise other ethical issues. ... In the long run, their (petrodicataors) pockets are unjustly enriched. Secondly, the energy crisis that characterizes the hot, flat and crowded eventually leads to wider gap between the rich (energy haves) and the poor (energy have nots) as the poor have their operations and daily life grounded due to escalated costs and energy scarcity. Finally, hot, flat and crowded world also disrupts sustainability of the environment for the future generation. As various corporations use carbon fuels, they emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby raising the global temperature to greater heights. It means that the future generations will find the environment generally hostile for their living. And we are opening an ever wider gap between the energy haves and the energy have-nots, those who cannot take part in the â€Å"flat† world because they cannot switch on a light bulb, let alone a laptop. Friedman makes various arguments and suggestions to emphasize the importance of regu lation in reducing USA’s oil dependency. Freidman asserts that green-revolutionary regulations will be of essential to catalyze funding and development of petroleum free energy sources, such as wind, nuclear and solar. By adopting heavy carbon taxation or ensuring higher taxation of petroleum products, corporation that are responsible for heavy carbon emission will strive to revert to less carbon fuels. Individuals will also minimize energy use as they revert to using environment friendly fuels. Regulation would ensure that such desirable energy uses are fairly priced and affordable to many. Friedman’s suggestion is important considering that there are so many individuals who consume energy and if everyone was to cut-down energy use or lean much towards using

Human Services Research Article Discussion Essay

Human Services Research Article Discussion - Essay Example (2) Is it conducted correctly? (3) Does it support the conclusions reached? (4) What, if any, additional statistical analyses could be performed on this data to gain further knowledge? (5) Are the findings misleading or biased? And (6) does the article incorporate graphs or tables that facilitate understanding? â€Å"Social Work Practice in Child Welfare from a Cross-Cultural Perspective: Concepts of Change Process† by Kui Hee Song Presentation of the Material The article was presented in appropriate form and structure consistent with the guidelines set by the APA Publication Manual. It is clearly structured with headings and subheadings and contains eight tabular illustrations that summarize results of the author’s findings. Starting from a concise introduction that provided the theoretical background for the study, the author proceeded with a presentation of research questions, the methodology, major findings, results of the major hypothesis testing and implications f or social work practice. The references conform to APA guidelines and brief information about the author appears right after the references to provide concise but comprehensive data on work experiences, interests, major accomplishments, service contributions and contact information.

Story Summary ( two old women ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Story Summary ( two old women ) - Essay Example The two women then move on to a place where they can avoid dreadful memories and probable enemies. They walk for an uncertain destination until they become exhausted. They halt the night there but the next morning, with their aching joints, freezing lungs and swollen feet and also fatigue, they continue on their journey up to the middle of a frozen lake. The next day, they become success to cross the lake despite Ch’idzigyaak’s misery. When four days is gone over, they come to a slough that reminds Ss’ that they are in the right path. They smile first to their conversation after a long period of time. But, after a tiresome journey, they feel again of death. Being hungry, they eat the rabbit head and broth. Now, taking their belongings, they move on to follow the river. On the sixth day, Sa† can see an opening to the creek. After crossing the river, they see there remains of the long desired fishracks. At the scenery of the fishracks, they feel at home. But, the next day the two older women prepare for colder weather ahead. At this time, they feel that they are much closed to be abandoned. Now, they begin to share their memories of their family and childhood. Ch’idzigyaak remembers the time the family left her grandmother behind and Sa’ remembers how she grew up more interested in what boys did than the girls and how her family accepted her. She tells Ch’idzigyaak, women spend their idle time telling stories and weaving rabbit fur blanket and clothing. In this very day, they capture a grouse and get a change of meat from rabbit squirrel and beaver to the meat of grouse since they start their journey. Now, the winter is passed and it is spring. They catch muskrats and beaver and freeze dry the meat. Now they don’t trust ‘the young generation’. The women decide to move to a safe place where no one will want to go in the fear of mosquitoes. They spend the spring and arctic summer fishing and hunting. They use their ingenuity to store and

The Quest Of Life From Childhood To Death Essay Example for Free

The Quest Of Life From Childhood To Death Essay The quest for life has always been a medley of â€Å"the good, the bad and the ugly†. The occasional ups and downs of life and the frequent twists of fate here and there have left nobody untouched even the famous celebrities people see as role models. From Cradle to grave, everyone is faced with one challenge or the order of diverse degree. This was what Terry Kay’s plot captured in his classical, award winning novel titled To Dance With The White Dog. The plot of the novel revolves around Sam Peek, a complete family man, a local farmer and a celebrity, for featuring in many horticultural magazines in Hart County, Georgia, who devotedly planted pecan tress and even more devotedly loved his wife, Cora. For over 55 years, they were happily married, with kids until tragedy came knocking one night when Cora suddenly develops a heart attack which led to her death. Sam, already in his eighties was deeply saddened by his wife’s death. The children were not left out in sharing in the sorrow for they were one very happy family and devotedly loved each other. Sam’s health was naturally affected with by his grief and his daughter, Kate became too worried over his health, most especially when Sam claimed he keeps seeing a stray white dog that nobody else could see. Even Sam’s favorite son, James did not see the dog initially and everybody believes that the grief has affected his and simply going crazy, except his grandson, Bobby. However, after a series of events, everybody began seeing the white dog. Until the dog eventually disappears immediately after Sam’s death. It was concluded that the dog was Cora in another form. The theme of the novel is virtually about the quest or journey of life.The series of quest in Sam’s journey of life. His â€Å"saddest day† of loosing his wife, the lonesomeness that follows and the strength to live life without his wife. Sam’s story is about a true grief, aging, love and family life. Adding flavour to the quest is the mysterious White Dog that can only be seen by Sam Peek. It demonstrated a life-long love, natural process of aging and family relationship. One can taste bitterness and sweetness as one enters Sam’s life. You can feel the tears in his eyes, loneliness in his heart and joys on his face as the entire book enfolds vividly and dissolves in your mind. The book has been described as poetry portraying itself to be fiction. Despite his many children and friends, Sam felt lonely after his wife’s death. He had been invited for his 60 year college re-union, which he was looking forward to going along with Cora who promised to go with him. She died the very day the invitation came in the mail. Sam left home for the re-union, but lost his way along the road, he ended up in a medley of memories of his past struggles and achievements. He ended up going to where he proposed to Cora. He took a while reflecting on how he spent his life, the good old days with his wife, the younger days of the children. The life after his wife’s death and his companion, the mysterious white dog. He eventually discovers that he has cancer. As the cancer progresses in its stages, his oldest daughter moved back in to take care of him. Meanwhile, during his lonely days, his companion, the white dog would come around to keep him company. He was living alone in the farm. His children did not believe he could survive living alone in the farm without his wife. â€Å"How can this elderly man live alone on his farm? How can he keep on driving his dilapidated truck down to the fields to care for his few rows of pecan trees?†   Their fear was further aggravated when Sam keeps telling them about a white dog, â€Å"as white as the pure driven snow†, which seems to be   invisible to everyone but him, his children   be to think that grief and old age have gotten to his brain. Sam on the other hand begin to think his children crazy. Sam, knew he saw the dog. He, one of the smartest men in the South when it comes to trees could not be insane. He survived the pain of loss, grief, loneliness and old age yet maintaining the old farm alone. It is an emotional and intriguing story tracing Sam’s life through his life span, his memories, travails and the process of learning in life. Sam learns that the simple things of life are the most important after all. When he needed anyone, the white dog was always there, showing itself only when it felt was necessary. The story proves that love transcends death, for the love of Sam and Cora continued after Cora’s death through the white dog that Sam saw licking up grease on his back porch. Strangely enough, the white dog looked just like a dog that Sam and his wife had when they first were married. As Sam’s eldest daughter moved in to take care of him in his dying days, he opens the door for the white dog never to be seen again. After Sam’s death, the dog was not seen again either, only a faint print of the dog’s paws was noticed on his grave. The work was inspired by the experience of the writer and that of his parents. Kay was born in Hart County, Georgia, the setting of his novel. The eleventh of twelve children, which was the reason Sam had many children and friends. He grew up on a farm, he said that his parents had an undying love which he uses his novel to express, proving that true love disregards the concept of time and can possibly carry on lasting for eternity. It is actually a revised story of his experience about love, family and relationships.   A memorable experience of his childhood struggles, parental love and devotion, peer and family interaction etc. Summarily, the novel captures a true- life-like-story of humor, love, and friendship woven through the journey of Sam’s life. A quest for life from cradle to grave of an old man who must deal with the death of his wife death, as well as the trials of old age. A compelling story of the unusual struggle for survival despite the loss of a true companion and the other series of events time temper one life with. Sam Peek is a personification of strength, will and endurance, as he chose to continue to live on with all odds. Eventually his death culminates to creativity of the novel as the paws of his perpetual companion, the white dog, which was another form of Cora, was found on his grave. A true proof that their love will continue even after death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Reference: Terry Kay: To Dance With the White Dog: Washington Square Press 1st edition Trade.1991 Paperback. ISBN # 0671726730 http://www.terrykay.com/TerryBio.html www.mupress.org/webpages/books/blackmarrhouse.html www.amazon.com

History †MapQuest Chapters Essay Example for Free

History – MapQuest Chapters Essay WebQuest Chapter 19: The Pullman Strike 1. ) George Pullman explained that the benefits of having his workers living in his company town was that he believed that the surroundings would remove the workers from the â€Å"Feeling of discontent† which â€Å"Characterized the American Workman†. This would protect his company from the economic loss that the discontented worker would suffer if he was living under bad conditions. He also took the rent that was due directly out of the paychecks of his employees. 2. ) The readings do not state a dollar amount for the hourly wage. The Parable of Pullman states that the workers wages were close to subsistence level. The amount of the pay cut averaged 25% 3. ) Eugene Deb was a Locomotive Fireman. It was under him that the American Railway Union was organized in June of 1893. He was the president of the ARU. It was a single organization that represented all types of railroad employees. In August of 1893 they had had success over the Great Northern Railway in a wage cut dispute. The Pullman workers also joined the ARU. When they went on strike in May of 1894, the ARU supported the strike and it became a nationwide strike between railroads and the American Railway Union. After the strike was broken by federal intervention, Debs was jailed for six months for his role in the strike,, specifically for violating a federal injunction and interfering with the mail. 4. ) The strike ended because the ARU members had refused to work any train that had Pullman’s cars included in it. The companies purposefully attached Pullman cars to mail trains. This caused the mail to be delayed. The result was the Federal Government issuing an injunction and President Cleveland sending Federal troops to enforce it, in order to stop the mail delay. A â€Å"yellow dog† contract is a contract that a worker signs promising not to join a labor union while he is an employee of the company who holds the contract. 5. ) The appellants had been refused employment, had no viable way to leave the Town of Pullman, and their families were starving. Instead of employing these individuals, Pullman had brought in substitute workers. Governor Altgeld wrote Pullman a letter basically stating that he should bear some responsibility for the plight of those in his town. He also stated that he was going to conduct a personal investigation. He made good on his word for the investigation. 6. ) The investigations found that the letter of complaint was indeed valid. There were 1600 families that were without the basic necessities of life, such as food. The investigators also found that there were 600 new workers but 1600 old workers that were still unemployed. HISTORY PAGE 2 of 3 7. ) Pullman blamed the workers for their plight, stating that if they had not gone on strike, they would not be suffering. WebQuest Chapter 20: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 1. ) The workforce was mainly made up of young immigrant women. There were also men employed, and boys as elevator attendants. There were other boys and girls present during the fire. 2. ) There were a total of 146 people who died in the fire. Most of these were young women. The readings do not break out the deaths by gender. There were also men and boys who died in the fire. About a third jumped from the ledges to avoid burning to death. The rest died of burns, some at their sewing machines. 3. ) The exit doors on the ninth floor were locked, ostensibly to prevent employee theft. The one fire exit that was available was inadequate for the number of workers. The conditions existed because fire inspections and precautions were inadequate. The workers feared that if they spoke out about the conditions, that they would lose their job. Economics also played a role in why the conditions were not corrected. 4. ) The citizens of New York, from every physical and economic part of the City, demanded justice. Workers offered testimony and support. There were protests in the streets. They demanded a safer work environment. 5. ) The unions became strong after this tragedy. Many workers saw the benefit in having an organization speak on their behalf. The other legacy is the building codes and worker safety legislation that was passed after the fire. WebQuest Chapter 22: The Platt Amendment 1. ) The Platt Amendment was attached to the Cuban Constitution. The Cuban Government, with reluctance, included the amendment in their constitution. The United States was already occupying Cuba. The United States was not going to relinquish any control without the amendment in place. 2. ) The Platt Amendment was drafted by Secretary of War Elihu Root, and presented by Senator Orville Platt. It was attached as a rider to the Army Appropriations Bill of 1901. The intent was to protect Cuba from foreign intervention and allow the United States to exercise authority in Cuba if the situation warranted it. It was passed by the Senate HISTORY PAGE 3 of 3 3. ) The Platt Amendment barred Cuba from going into debt, making treaties with other nations that gave those nations any power over Cuban affairs, or stopping the US from creating a sanitation system. It restricted Cuban Sovereignty by giving the United States broad latitude of power over the domestic and foreign relations of Cuba. 4. ) The Platt Amendment was used by the United States as an excuse for intervention in Cuba in 1906, 1912, 1917, and 1920. The Platt Amendment was also used for the creation of the base at Guantanamo Bay. 5. ) The Cubans were reluctant to attach it to their Constitution. They feared rampant US intervention. Widespread criticism of the amendment and rising nationalism in Cuba resulted in President Franklin Roosevelt’s repeal of the Amendment in 1934, except for the lease of Guantanamo Bay. 6. ) Whereas the Platt Amendment specifically provided causes for the intervention in Cuba by the United States, the Teller Amendment stated that the United States disclaims sovereign claims to Cuba, and will leave control of the island to the Cubans, and will not claim jurisdiction. The two documents are in sharp contrast to one another.

Jan Van Eyck Art History English Literature Essay

Jan Van Eyck Art History English Literature Essay Jan Van Eyck was born somewhere around 1390 in the village of Maaseyck, near Maastricht (Belgium). His early life is somewhat of a mystery. Between 1422 and 1424 he was employed as a painter by John of Bavaria, Count of Holland. One year later he entered the service of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgandy. There he became court artist and equerry. Van Eyck was held in high esteem by the Duke and was not only Godfather to the Dukes son, but was also paid a salary by him instead of working on commission (which was typical for artists of this time period). He worked for the Duke for 16 years (his lifetime) and also for wealthy Italians resident in the Netherlands, such as Giovanni Arnolfini. Jan Van Eyck was a Flemish Realist active in Bruges, who was considered by some as the first master of oil painting. His use of oil paints in his detailed panel paintings resulted in him being known as the father of oil painting. He was credited with originating a style of painting characterized by minutely realistic depictions of surface effects and natural light. He accomplished this by using an oil medium, which allowed the building up of paint in translucent layers, or glazes. By creating these layers he was able to capture objects in the minutest detail. This also gave him the ability to preserve his colors. Due to Van Eycks social position with Philip the Good as a diplomat (negotiating marriage for the Duke); he was able to travel extensively. He had a great visual memory and eye for detail. Van Eyck was unique in his ability to accurately record historical style. No painter has ever been more preoccupied with artifacts and with the exact way something looks. In his paintings, he extends detailed information about things far past ordinary detail. Instead of doing as artists before him and suggesting areas and ideas, Van Eyck has left us with too much detail. No detail is left unexplored. He painted the world as if everything in it were both knowable and perfectly known. Van Eycks artwork is also charged with symbolism. This attitude toward nature was one that Van Eyck seems to have regarded each created thing as a symbol of the workings of Gods mind, and the universe as an immense structure of metaphors (artchive.com). He has so many things packed into each painting that it is hard to find all of the symbols and we are often left to speculate what things might mean. Take for instance in The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin, there are two rabbits holding up a pillar in the center of the painting, close to the book of hours. We are only left to speculate the meaning of this. Is it purely as a piece of conversation, or has the artist placed them there to symbolize true love overcoming carnal desire? Also in the same piece, two mockingbirds are shown in the garden just beyond the pillar. Are these put there to symbolize death, as the peacocks symbolize eternal life, or are they placed in the garden for balance and interest only? Although we are left to specul ate about some symbols, others are pulled from classic symbols of the past that are commonly used as representations by many artists, such as the lilies in the garden being used to symbolize The Virgin Marys purity, or the cross being held in the baby Jesus hand. I think the thing that makes this artist stand out the most to me is the interest he creates by combining the very heavy use of symbols, with the miniature detail. He carries his symbolism even into the deep background of his paintings. This gives the effect of excitement whenever finding one of Jan Van Eycks pieces of art. We as viewers of the scene before us, become detectives. We hungrily look for things that maybe we have overlooked. This not only brings us into the painting, but fosters thinking and debate! Every expression by the figures and even every creation itself seem to carry two meaningsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦its own and a symbolic one. Jan Van Eyck made both religious and secular images. His most well known religious work is The Ghent Altarpiece. This painting was originally started by his brother Hubert. Jan completed the work in 1432, six years after his brothers death. It is unclear how many of the twenty four panels Van Eyck finished or changed after his brother passed away. One of his most studied secular images is The Arnolfini Portrait made in 1434. Both of these paintings were oil on panel. Some of his other most popular paintings are: Portrait of a Man in a Turban (1433), The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin (1435), Portrait of Margareta van Eyck (1439), and Madonna in the Church (c. 1425). Of the some twenty six main works documented, all seem to be either oil on panel or oil on canvas. Several of Jan Van Eycks works were signed and dated, which allowed historians to correctly identify other works of his that were either left unsigned or had signed frames which were removed at some point in time. On a few of his works he has signed ALS ICH KAN (As I can or As best I can). In the Arnolfini Portrait he even signed on the wall in the picture itself Jan Van Eyck was here. He painstakingly made his paintings the most interesting I have seen. His eye was at one and the same time a microscope and a telescope Erwin Panofsky. The Betrothal of the Arnolfini Considered perhaps Jan Van Eycks greatest triumph in the painting of portraits is The Betrothal of the Arnolfini or The Arnolfini Portrait (1434). This portrait is an oil on wood (32  ¼ x 23  ½), and is one of his most famous portraits. This painting represents an Italian merchant, Giovanni Arnolfini, who had come to the Netherlands on business, with is bride Jeanne de Chenany. This was a new and revolutionary way of painting portraits in its portrayal of a piece of the real world. The meticulous way the entire room was painted in every detail from carpet, slippers, drapery, chandelier and pet. It is as if we have stepped into their home. It is speculated that this picture represents the moment of the couples betrothal. The young woman is clothed in a vibrant green gown lined with fur and blue undergarment. The weight of the garment is apparent in the deep folds it creates. Her head covering is white with delicate laced edging. Even a gold necklace and brown leather belt are show n. She tilts her head forward, eyes slightly down showing modesty. Her dainty build shown in her hands contrast the heavy material of her robe. She is shown just after placing her hand lightly in her husbands. Her left hand holds up the folds of her dress, possibly symbolizing fertility or her wish for children. Her husband is shown in a large black hat, black collared shirt and  ¾ lengths brown, fur lined coat. His left hand rests under her right and his right hand is raised as in an oath. In the foreground a pair of traditional wooden shoes are shown on the floor. The wood planking and detailed rug are shown on the floor as well. There is a dog shown in between the couple on the foreground floor, possibly a family pet or to symbolize loyalty. Behind them on the floor were another pair of shoes (possibly the wifes) at the base of the seat. The couples shoes being removed could represent custom or the reference to being on holy ground. Going up the scene from the shoes, the seat i s shown in detail with squared wooden posts, ornate caps and fluffed pillow. The mirror at center and focal point of the painting shows the backs of the betrothed and also two more people (possibly Van Eyck and a witness or father). The ten small circles surrounding the mirror each contain a tiny scene from the passion of Christ. This technique is called miniaturist. To the left of the mirror hangs rosary beads, and to the right a hard bristled broom. Above the mirror is an inscription reading Johannes de Eyck fuit hic 1434, or Jan Van Eyck was here 1434. Above the mirror hangs an ornately decorated chandelier with a single candle placed in it (the candle is lit even though it is daytime). A window to the left of Arnolfini is open, and the light from the room comes in from this point. Fruit lays on a wooden table top and windowsill, possibly symbolizing the couples wealth or the temptation of Adam and Eve. The red draped bed to the right behind the young woman leads to the belief th at the picture was of the couples bridal chamber. The painting seems to be recording an event of the betrothal between the Arnolfini couple. The figures look serious and somber. Both faces of the figures are without expression. The line quality is beautifully precise. Every detail is shown. The brushwork is tight. All of the details, large and small, help to draw us further into the painting. The focal point of the painting is the mirror between the couple in the painting. Jewel toned colors are used in this painting. The husband is painted in browns and blacks, the wife in cool colors, and the bed and seat are done in warm colors of rust. The painting is very appealing to me because it is so detailed and because there are so many items that are interesting to look at. The viewer becomes the witness and we could imagine that if we looked to our side we might see Van Eyck standing with us. The function of this work might be as a recording of events or merely as a gift for the couple shown here. I think the technique is more a reflection of the artists personal style than a reflection of the subject shown. The elements in the painting are expertly painted and arranged in beautiful detail, accurately portraying the meaning of the painting. He also puts many things in the painting that would make our minds engage and think about the artwork in depth. The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin Jan Van Eycks painting of The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin (1435) is 66 x 62 cm oil on panel. The painting was originally made of the Saint Sebastian chapel in the church of Notre-Dame-du-Chantel, Autun. The central figures shown in the painting are Nicolas Rolin (1376/1380-1462), the Virgin Mary, and Christ as an infant. Nicolas Rolin was chancellor to Philip the Good. He commissioned this painting to decorate the chapel, and as the donor, he was painted very realistically. Van Eyck paints the chancellor kneeling before the Virgin and Child. The chancellor is shown on the left side of the loggia, dressed in gold brocade and furs (like a prince) betraying his desire to be viewed as a high ranking court dignitary. His patron saint is not shown beside him, as is custom. Just as oddly out of custom is his representation of being at the same height as the Virgin Mary. He is wearing a black silk belt decorated with gold studs. Infrared reflectography shows that Van Eyck had originally painted the Chancellor with a large purse on his side (representing his substantial wealth) which was probably covered up at the request of the Chancellor. On the cushion of the prayer stool beside the Chancellor is a book of hours, with a red fabric slip cover beneath it. The book seems to be open to the beginning of the liturgy for the service of Matins as suggested by the large letter D on the page. The painting suggests that the Chancellor is preparing to recite this prayer from his book. The portrait of the Chancellor is highly realistic and has been compared with Rogier van der Weydens portrait of the Chancellor on his altarpiece of the Last Judgment at Baume (it is very similar). His nose is strong and prominent, his chin is wide, and his hair is cut into a neat cap style. His eyes are set in concentration, but not looking directly at either the Christ child or Virgin. Across from him the Virgin Mary sits in  ¾ pose upon a brocade cushion, placed on a marble seat inlaid with designs. Her large red robe is edged with jewels, pearls, and braiding. The cloaks edging also has an inscription in gold taken from the Christian liturgy of Matins. The prayer focuses on the magnificence of creation. This theme is carried out by the background scenery and the globe in the infant Jesus hand (symbolizing that he is the creator of all things). She is looking at the cross on top of the globe, as a precursor to her sons crucifixion. An angel holds a highly detailed crown over the virgins head, as a reference to her coronation in the heavenly city of Jerusalem. The angels rainbow colored wings represent the pact set between God and his creation. The naked infant Christ sits on a small piece of linen, a reference to his funeral shroud. The infant holds an ornate gold cross mounted atop a crystal globe. The globe symbolizes Christs earthly power and the cross symbol izes his spiritual dominion. The crystal is said to symbolize Marys virginity. The infant is raising his right hand toward the Chancellor in a gesture of blessing. The infant is not gazing at the Chancellor directly, and infrared reflectography shows that the infants hand was originally painted pointing downward. The architecture of the two large figures are in symmetrical composition that opposes the divine world with that of the human world. The three arches in the background of the loggia represent the Holy Trinity. The arched pillars to each side of the loggia lead to colonnades. Most of the pillars are capped with decorative motifs. However, directly above the Chancellor we see carvings illustrating the Book of Genesis in several scenes (mans original sins and their consequences). This crown of stone above the Chancellors head directly counterbalances the crown above Marys head. Flowers in the garden beyond the pillars are all symbols representing the Virgin Mary (lilies, peony, wild rose, irises, and daisies). The peacock symbolizes immortality or the pride of Nicolas Rolin. The two small figures in the center might very well be Van Eyck and his assistant. The landscape on the left behind the Chancellor represents the earthly world and on the right behind Mary, the heavenly world. The river of life flows between both land masses and a bridge connects them together. The tiny cross on the bridge might represent the crucifixion of Christ to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. I am in awe of Jan Van Eycks attention to detail and creativity. He cleverly uses the lines on the floor tiles and winding river in the distance to establish depth. Also the use of atmospheric perspective and lighting adds to the realism of this painting. I believe the focal point of the painting is the two small figures in the center of the painting (much as in the Arnolfini Portrait) and might in fact be Jan Van Eyck and his apprentice. The portrait is again done in rich jewel tones with crisp line work and incredible detail, as is Van Eycks style. This painting is full of religious symbolism everywhere we look. However, Van Eyck seems to be portraying Nicolas Rolin as a wealthy and conceited man who sought to be on the same level as the Virgin herself. The rich gold brocade of his clothing, the money purse that has since been painted over, and the Chancellor being the same height as the Virgin all give evidence to this theory. I think it was rather daring of Van Eyck to paint the patron of the picture in a not so nice light. This painting is similar to many other works Van Eyck has created in the detail he used (The Virgin with Canon van der Paele, Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor). Most of his work can be easily interpreted, as most of the symbolism is uniform. I would buy this type of artwork because I find the detail and symbolism very appealing.