Johannes (Jan) Vermeer was a Dutch painter who lived during the Baroque period. He was most famously known for his paintings of interiors and capturing scenes from middle class life. Vermeer paid strong attention to light and detail in his work and used expressive colours which came from expensive pigments.
One of Vermeer’s most famous paintings is Girl with a Pearl Earring.
I love this piece because of the way the girl looks at the viewer as she’s turned to her side as oppose to facing full frontally; I think it makes the painting more interesting this way. I like the way the light shines on her earring, eyes, and lips, and her earrings look as though they are made of metal. Furthermore, I like the way Vermeer left the background black as it makes the portrait pop and it gives an almost modern feel.
I also like this painting above for the juxtaposition between the vivid red dress against the darker, more dull colours of the background. I also like how this piece is set in an interior which is a common theme of Vermeer’s. I like the detailing in the stained-glass window and orange sitting on the table. However, I do not like the facial expression of the girl in the dress compared to that of the girl in the Girl with a Pearl Earring. I prefer the simple yet expressive way Vermeer painted the man thinking in the background.
“During the height of his career, in paintings depicting women reading or writing letters, playing musical instruments, or adorning themselves with jewelry, Vermeer sought ways to express a sense of inner harmony within everyday life, primarily in the confines of a private chamber (Wheelock).”
I find Vermeer’s work inspiring for the way he captures a moment in time and for choosing to portray more ordinary moments such as daily household life rather than strictly choosing religious scenes. Although there are more allegorical aspects to some of his works, it isn’t the prime focus and his paintings aren’t as excessive or overly ornate as some Baroque paintings.
Citations:
Wheelock, Arthur K. “Johannes Vermeer.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 Aug. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Vermeer.
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