#ArtSaturday Johannes (or Jan or Johan) Vermeer 1632–1675
Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life(detail of Vermeer painting with only frontal view that is surmised to be the artist) pic.twitter.com/tOlsOXZhlW
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Best known for his extensive use of very expensive pigments in paintsView of Delft pic.twitter.com/SQLY44StSm
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Vermeer’s technique is so photo-realistic that some critics question how he was able to paint such fine details.The Little Street pic.twitter.com/82pp5iYpBd
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Only 3 Vermeer paintings are dated, and those are all early ones.The Procuress, 1656
(Vermeer is presumed to be the man on the far L, looking out of the painting at the viewers.) pic.twitter.com/zENknRu5i5— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
There were many new scientific and exploration discoveries during this period, and Vermeer featured many of them in his paintings. Globes and maps a sign of education and wealth in Vermeer’s paintings.The Astronomer, 1668 pic.twitter.com/5hvk9T5Ydq
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Vermeer signature (I — for J — VerMeer) followed by the date in Roman numerals (MDCLXVIIII) appears on the wall above the map, upper R of painting.The Geographer, 1669 pic.twitter.com/uoe8lcq0U4
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Vermeer lavishly used Ultramarine, made from ground lapis lazuli, which was very expensive. Lapis Lazuli Ultramarine was, by tradition, associated with the robes of the Virgin Mary in religious paintings.The Milkmaid
(note nail-holes in wall behind her) pic.twitter.com/O5VRQUf21h— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
In addition to the expensive Ultramarine, Vermmer extensively used expensive lead-tin yellow. Here it is in draperies and in ermine-trimmed jacked. In The Milkmaid, this yellow was in her bodice.Woman with a Pearl Necklace pic.twitter.com/RZUrCYadlr
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
This ermine-trimmed housecoat, painted in the expensive lead-tin yellow, is also featured in A Lady Writing a Letter pic.twitter.com/X4g1wmsqoD— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Lead-tin Yellow was known as the “yellow of the Old Masters.”The ermine-trimmed housecoat appeared in several of his paintings, but it is not known if the housecoat belonged to Vermeer’s wife (or mother-in-law, who lived with them). pic.twitter.com/KKnjMGgAuI
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Woman Doing Lace-Work pic.twitter.com/m24vGAkug0
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Madder Lake (which is in the red blouse of the seated woman) was also very expensive. It was one of Vermeer’s favorite pigments for paint.Christ in the House of Mary & Martha pic.twitter.com/tMyAHBZJCm
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Vermeer also extensively used vermillion, a brilliant red paint made from ground cinnabar, and featured in the dress of the lady in this painting.A Lady and Two Gentlemen pic.twitter.com/UrvVSEYN4l
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
The Music Lesson, 1662-63
featuring lead-tin yellow, vermillion, and lead-white
The woman’s face, along with the marble floor tile, is reflected in the mirror on the wall behind the virginal. pic.twitter.com/hJpyJVxcEW— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Young Woman with a Water Pitcher
Table carpet features vermillion and madder red, map on wall has lead-tin yellow, woman’s gown has lapis lazuli ultramarine. pic.twitter.com/WezAyWPPU4
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Maps, which were very expensive, represented wealth and learning (necessary in order to read them). Maps appear in several Vermeer paintings.Officer and Laughing Lady (between 1655 and 1670) pic.twitter.com/Dc4OnCMt8t
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
The tables are often covered with very expensive Oriental carpets in Vermeer paintings, and the carpets are highly detailed (as is the interior of the blue-and-white Delft bowl, with fruit, in this painting).Young Woman Asleep at Table pic.twitter.com/4aUr4R573e
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl Interrupted at her Music pic.twitter.com/SNwtxu6hRd
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
The Glass of Wine
(note the stained glass in the window) pic.twitter.com/EJ7AqINNqc— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Musical instruments would have been a sign of learning and of wealth since they were expensive to purchase and required masters to teach the music lessons.
Girl is wearing the ermine-trimmed housecoat. Map on wall behind her.Woman with a Lute Near a Window pic.twitter.com/z8bhtRyh3Q
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Formerly, some art critics thought Vermeer used a Camera Obscura, which directs an image of the object onto the canvas, which he then painted. Because Vermeer had no (authenticated) formal art training, they assumed he could not paint such detail by himself. pic.twitter.com/nBYXVHvGsv— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Critics have had to modify the “camera obscura theory” since they have been unable to reproduce its supposed effects in painting a canvas.Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid pic.twitter.com/ux0wXenuEe
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Pearls were very expensive & often appear in Vermeer’s paintings as a sign of wealth.Some critics think the woman in this painting may be Vermeer’s wife – because she’s pregnant & his wife had many children – but there is no evidence
Woman with a Balance pic.twitter.com/Xc8lUuakT9
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Virtually all of Vermeer’s painted figures are illuminated by light coming from the left. Mostly, the light is from the same leaded windows in Vermeer’s studio. pic.twitter.com/yh0ZdDS5WW— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Lady Standing at Virginal
Cupid is in the large painting on the wall beyond her. Blue-and-white Delft tiles line the wall at the floor level. pic.twitter.com/LvdkXa0BLn
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Earlier in his painting career, Vermeer did more formally accepted subject matter: religious or mythological subjects. Critics date such paintings to Vermeer’s early career.Saint Praxedis pic.twitter.com/pxBXj1LDwW
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl Reading a Letter by a Window
Girl’s face is reflected in the window’s panes. Brass nailhead studs across chairback (in the corner, below the window). Bowl with fruit is blue-and-white Delft china. Oriental carpet covering the table. pic.twitter.com/F8PJsqUuHB
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
The Art of Painting
(Vermeer is the painter, who doesn’t have his face to the viewers. Some critics find humor and self-deprecation in this painting: Vermeer doesn’t show his face, he’s seated, and his leg coverings are “carelessly sliding down.”) pic.twitter.com/CZyLZclWMi
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Lady Seated at Virginal pic.twitter.com/rjf1qI7jcJ
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Woman Reading a Letter
(Some critics say this figure might also be that of Vermeer’s wife — because she’s pregnant.) pic.twitter.com/pMLyZDAy52— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Woman Reading a Letter
(The seated woman in this painting is holding a lute, wearing pearls [necklace & earrings] and the ermine-trimmed housecoat, speaking to a servant, and has paintings on the wall behind her: all signs of extreme wealth.) pic.twitter.com/6HD9uyiwDT
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Allegory of Catholic Faith
Vermeer was Calvinist: he converted to Catholicism to marry his wife. Critics see satirical humor in this painting of “fainting” woman with her foot on globe in front of a painting of Christ on the cross near an altar-like table. pic.twitter.com/wV9PMROec5
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Portrait of a Young Woman
(This model appears in many of his paintings. In this one, she is wearing a pearl earring, and has a headdress similar to that of the girl in Vermeer’s more famous painting.) pic.twitter.com/5k1J4G0HRc
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl with a Red Hat
(This is one of the few Vermeer paintings where the light is coming from the R of the figure. This girl also wears pearl earrings.) pic.twitter.com/S1s8G7N6Nh
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Pearls, which were so expensive that they were a luxury item, appear in many of Vermeer’s paintings: as necklaces, earrings, and in strands of pearls spilling out of boxes. pic.twitter.com/w44cf4npyQ— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Since Dutch Calvinism forbade painting of religious subjects (in churches, not in private homes), mythological subjects were therefore considered “imperative” for painters to prove their talent.Diana and her Companions
(early in Vermeer’s career) pic.twitter.com/UjDN7sqYup— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring, Vermeer’s most famous painting pic.twitter.com/sFM3q2oSJB
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring, during most recent restoration (varnish yellowed, paint cracked with age, chips of paint missing or flipped over and stuck to the wrong places). pic.twitter.com/W6ZmEnLzah— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring, with Scarlett Johansson on R, imitating it for the film version, which was based on a novel. No one knows who the model for Vermeer’s painting was. pic.twitter.com/ZoIURL7tmj— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
#ArtSaturday Vermeer
When Vermeer died at age 43, his widow had to sell all his remaining paintings to support herself and their children (10 or 11 — out of 14? — survived his death). pic.twitter.com/xlLr7ENEXM— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
Thanks to @Mauritshuis and Abbie Vandivere’s Girl with a Blog, we know more than ever about Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earringhttps://t.co/faqMUfychu
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
Thanks to @DavidDCain, I’ve found Tim’s Vermeer, an Oscar-nominated documentary on Tim’s theory on Vermeer’s photo-realistic painting techniques (#spoiler no camera obscura) and his reproduction of those painting techniques. #AlternateHistoryhttps://t.co/5KLbfhdM8w
— Alexandria Constantinova Szeman, Ph.D. (@Alexandria_SZ) March 31, 2018
Here is the official trailer of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Tim’s Vermeer, where Tim Jenison attempts to re-create Vermerr’s photo-realistic painting techniques via mirror, rather than via a camera obscura.
