Johannes Vermeer
(1632-75)
The Master of Light
History
• A Dutch painter born in Delft, Netherlands.
• Era - Dutch Golden Age - Duration 1600-1672
• One of the most important periods in the history of the Netherlands,
roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military,
and art were among the most acclaimed in the world.
• First painting in 1652
• Vermeer produced a total of fewer than 50 paintings, of which 34 have
survived.
Painting Style
• Vermeer was a master of light who made perfect use of light and
shadow, so as to give photorealistic attention to detail.
• a sense of compositional balance and spatial order, unified by a pearly
light.
Famous Artworks
The girl with a pearl earring (1665)
Medium – oil on canvas
The Painter
1666-1668
Oil on canvas
The Lady sitting at the
virginal
The Milkmaid
c. 1958
Medium – oil on canvas
Location : Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
'The Music Lesson’ / Lady at the
Virginal with a Gentleman
Johannes Vermeer c. 1662-1665
Medium – oil on canvas
Location : Royal Collection,
Buckingham Palace, England
Observations (Vermeer Paintings)
1. The bright daylight coming from left window.
2. Light and shadows used perfectly to make everything realistic.
3. Seems as if the artist calculated and strategized the painting beforehand
so as to bring all the visual attention to the main subject.
4. He probably made adjustments rather than painting exactly what he
sees.
5. Painted woman engaged doing daily life tasks.
6. Calmness and gentleness which is shown by the softness in the woman
figures. (Strokes)
How does he bring visual attention to the
main subject?
• Every line, color used is thoughtful.
• Use of vanishing point - All the perspective lines converging at
imaginary vanishing point (which can be seen on the left arm of the
subject (lady).
• Use of contrast and very bright highlights on the point of focus.
• Can see Depth of field at some places wherein the other things go out
of focus.
‘The Music lesson’ :
• The part of the cloth (left arm and blue dress) and the points on the chair
are highlighted too much to make our eyes look at those.
• the placement of squares and rectangles around the subject and placing a
square mirror just above the head of the lady is to add visual weightage to
the lady.
The Milkmaid :
• Bread, The cloth wore by the lady, her face, the table cloth in blue is given
bright highlights.
• Look at the rendering of the basket and the bread. Looks like real.
Use of contrast
The music lesson :
• The contrast of white and dark colors specially the vase which is bright
white grabs the attention. Both tiles and clothes.
• There is contrast in the color of tile and the instrument kept on floor.
The Milkmaid :
• rough and textured, Color contrast (colors of utensils.), Smooth and sharp
edges.
• Milk white color attracts eyes. Can see movement in the milk pouring.
• Only Primary colors used.
Harmony
• Brought by colors and positions of the objects.
• Colors of clothes of both people and the mirror frame.
• The shape of the vase placed on the table and the cloth of the man.
• Some sort of inevident relationship between two people can be
assumed : As we look in the mirror the tilted head of the girl which
could only be possible if the girl would have been looking towards the
man.
Gentleness in Woman
• They show the same furniture and decorations in various
arrangements and they often portray the same people, mostly
women.“
• Woman shown seem content and fully engaged.
• there is a softness and warmth in facial expression of the woman if
they are not working and looking somewhere.
• Joy of Life
Thank You!
- Pragya Mittal
