When viewing art, the foreground often demands our attention, but there always lies a silent protagonist, the background. While there are a lot of works that the foreground should hold our attention, I would argue that there are some paintings with backgrounds demanding the focus and attention, rather than what catches our eye first. Whether it’s a mirror, a shadowy figure, or a painted backdrop, these elements unveil narratives that can only be understood by paying close attention to what lies in the details. In some specific artworks, the background can change the whole meaning of the painting. The best case of this lies in paintings that are restored only to reveal a hidden element that was not previously there. This can change the whole meaning of the painting. Each piece I have picked, in one way or another, includes something, or someone in the background that holds significance and adds to the overarching narrative.
Models (Poseuses)
Georges Seurat.
1886–1888.
Oil on canvas.
Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Models by Seurat includes another one of Seurat’s paintings in the background, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Seurat often revisited and referenced his own works, and this created a sense of continuity in his artistic exploration. The incorporation of A Sunday on La Grande Jatte into this painting could have been an aim to connect both the style and theme of Models with this scene depicted in the background. This creates a dialogue between two different aspects of his artistic vision. While there are not too many formal connections upfront, themes of color and space could be connected between these two paintings. This could have been an intentional contrast on Seurat’s end.
Las Meninas
1656
Diego Velazquez
Oil on Canvas
Museo del Prado, Madrid
On a wall of paintings in the background of Las Meninas, there is also a hanging mirror reflecting what appears to be King Philip IV and Queen Mariana. The inclusion of the King and Queen creates a very intentional yet intriguing spatial dynamic. To the viewer, this raises questions about representation, reality, and what the artist's role and intention was. The mirror reflecting the King and Queen brings us into a deeper contemplation on the narrative as a whole.
La danseuse sur la scène
Edgar Degas
1878
Musée d'Orsay, Paris
The dancer in the foreground of the painting catches our attention first because of the contrast used with color. But upon a second look, we see a dark figure in the midst of the yellow and orange backdrop. A figure dressed in a black tuxedo breaks up the color. His face is hidden, the figure’s body imposing and seemingly ominous. It is rumored that the young ballerinas who spent the most time with their backstage “patrons” were given better roles in their on-stage performances. This realization makes images like Ballet shine in a darker light. This dark figure, while just a small part of the background, plays a big role in understanding the extent of the story.
Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window
Johannes Vermeer
1662–1665
Oil on canvas
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
If you were to look at this painting just a few years ago, the wall would simply be a white wall. But a couple of years ago, during a cleaning of this painting, this cupid image was uncovered. While this cupid painting only takes up a small portion of the artwork, the significance of the narrative completely changes because of it. The note that the girl was reading could have been anything, given there was not too much context. But, now we are to assume that it’s a love letter because of the inclusion of cupid in this painting.
The Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck
1434
Oil on oak panel
The National Gallery, London
This painting has been seen to be depicting a ceremony of some sort between these two individuals, perhaps one of marriage. It seems like vows are being taken, and fancy clothes are worn by both people. The addition of the mirror in the back of this ceremonial painting is very interesting. This mirror is believed to symbolize various concepts such as purity, faithfulness, and reflection of truth. Different art historians have suggested that the mirror may represent the eye of God witnessing these vows being exchanged in the marriage. This emphasizes the sacred union that is taking place in this piece, that we would not have otherwise know about.
Dish of Apples
1876–77
Oil on canvas
The Metropolitan, New York City, New York
There is a lot of dialogue over the painting in the background of Dish of Apples. Some art historians believe that this intentional addition of a full background painting could be to represent Cezanne and his exploration of spatial relationships between forms. Cezanne often uses multiple perspectives within his artwork. The background here adds depth and complexity to the overall visual experience. This specifically displays Cezanne’s avant-garde techniques when it comes to depicting space and form.
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