During the seventeenth century, there was a shift in the type of paintings that were being created
in the Netherlands. The Thirty-years war had come to an end and the Netherlands had finally
gained their independence from Spain. Unlike when they were at war with Spain, the
Netherlands began to find more interest in their leisure and day-to-day lives. Paintings began to
represent their domestic values as a cornerstone of an ideal society. According to Majorie
Wismeaner, “the family and domestic virtue (rather than allegiance to church or monarch) were
prized as the cornerstone of a successful society, and indeed became a metaphor for the nation
itself.”
in the Netherlands. The Thirty-years war had come to an end and the Netherlands had finally
gained their independence from Spain. Unlike when they were at war with Spain, the
Netherlands began to find more interest in their leisure and day-to-day lives. Paintings began to
represent their domestic values as a cornerstone of an ideal society. According to Majorie
Wismeaner, “the family and domestic virtue (rather than allegiance to church or monarch) were
prized as the cornerstone of a successful society, and indeed became a metaphor for the nation
itself.”
Vermeer transitioned from painting ordinary and common life to capturing a more elegant and
refined lifestyle because the wealthy merchant class was more likely to purchase these paintings.
Still, in all of Vermeer’s paintings we see that in all his depictions of women he gives them grace
and dignity as well as elevates women who possess the lowliest of stations. He welcomes us to
view these women in all the different tasks that they perform. Come and see if Vermeer doesn’t
convey these things to you in the following works here on display.
refined lifestyle because the wealthy merchant class was more likely to purchase these paintings.
Still, in all of Vermeer’s paintings we see that in all his depictions of women he gives them grace
and dignity as well as elevates women who possess the lowliest of stations. He welcomes us to
view these women in all the different tasks that they perform. Come and see if Vermeer doesn’t
convey these things to you in the following works here on display.
Young Woman with a Water Pitcher
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
Date: ca. 1662
Medium: Oil on canvas 18 x 16 in.
Met: 89.15.21
Vermeer seems to have captured a young woman holding a metallic pitcher and standing in the
corner of a room. She is surrounded by objects that She is wearing a voluminous white head
covering that frames her face as it rests delicately on her shoulders. In addition to this she has on
a dark navy blue skirt with a gold and black bodice that gives a bell shape to her body. This and
the many objects that can be found around her show her elevated status and the dignity that she
possesses.
corner of a room. She is surrounded by objects that She is wearing a voluminous white head
covering that frames her face as it rests delicately on her shoulders. In addition to this she has on
a dark navy blue skirt with a gold and black bodice that gives a bell shape to her body. This and
the many objects that can be found around her show her elevated status and the dignity that she
possesses.
A Maid Asleep
Johannes Vermeer
Date: ca. 1656-57
Medium: Oil on canvas 34 1/2 x 30 1/8 in.
Met: 14.40.611
This piece depicts a maid sitting at a table in a darkened room resting her head in her hand. She
is surrounded by beautiful things. Tapestries and fruits that show she is a provider and her job is
essential. This maid represents the ideal in the domestic work that she performs. Even though she
is in the act of resting she is in a position ready to move or possibly she has finished all her work
for the day and is resting from the hard days' work.
is surrounded by beautiful things. Tapestries and fruits that show she is a provider and her job is
essential. This maid represents the ideal in the domestic work that she performs. Even though she
is in the act of resting she is in a position ready to move or possibly she has finished all her work
for the day and is resting from the hard days' work.
Young Woman with a Lute
Johannes Vermeer
Date: ca. 1662-63 20 1/4 x 18 in.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Met:25.110.24
Here we see a young woman in yellow dress, wearing a pearl necklace and earrings playing her
lute as she looks out her window to the street below. On the wall behind her there is a map of the
world. The beautiful and expensive things point to the fact that she is wealthy and has time to sit
and play her lute. During this time, wealthy young women studied music as part of their
education. These things point to her high status and the dignity that comes with it.
lute as she looks out her window to the street below. On the wall behind her there is a map of the
world. The beautiful and expensive things point to the fact that she is wealthy and has time to sit
and play her lute. During this time, wealthy young women studied music as part of their
education. These things point to her high status and the dignity that comes with it.
The Milkmaid
Johannes Vermeer
Date: c. 1660
Medium: Oil on canvas h 45.5 cm × w 41 cm
Rijlsmuseum: SK-A-2344
The woman in this painting is a kitchen maid, found in a nearly bare room pouring milk into a
pot. Her outfit is simple, made for working in. The objects that can be found in the room is a foot
warmer on the floor behind the woman, a couple of baskets hanging on the wall, and a table with
a blue table cloth, basket of bread, as well as a jar and pot which the milk is being poured into.
Her dignity is not given to her because of her class standing, it is given in her domestic virtue that
is on display.
pot. Her outfit is simple, made for working in. The objects that can be found in the room is a foot
warmer on the floor behind the woman, a couple of baskets hanging on the wall, and a table with
a blue table cloth, basket of bread, as well as a jar and pot which the milk is being poured into.
Her dignity is not given to her because of her class standing, it is given in her domestic virtue that
is on display.
The Lacemaker
Johannes Vermeer
Date: 1669-1670
Medium: Oil Paint 9”x 8”
Louvre: no ascension
Here we see a young woman, dressed in yellow leaning over her lacework concentrating hard on
the task at hand. To the left of the painting there is a pin cushion that holds her pins. The focus of
the viewer is on the woman due to the plain wall that is the background. Vermeer's use of light
draws us in to look at the task that is being performed. This young woman is consumed with the
domestic task that is placed before her.
the task at hand. To the left of the painting there is a pin cushion that holds her pins. The focus of
the viewer is on the woman due to the plain wall that is the background. Vermeer's use of light
draws us in to look at the task that is being performed. This young woman is consumed with the
domestic task that is placed before her.
No comments:
Post a Comment