Vermeer uses his ultramarine to paint Dutchwomen. They are neither saints nor sinners; they are women. And they are beautiful to behold. They are 17th century Dutchwomen, accomplished, whether pouring milk from a jug (The Milkmaid at the Rijksmuseum) or here in Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure standing or sitting at the keyboard instruments of the day – virginals or clavichords – playing guitars, lutes or citterns, having music lessons, or playing a leading role in supplying the music for tavern celebrations, parties or musical gatherings around the songbooks of the day.
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Johannes Vermeer (1632 - 1675)
The Guitar
Player, about 1672
Oil on canvas
53 x 46.3 cm
On loan from English Heritage, The Iveagh Bequest (Kenwood)
© English Heritage
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Vermeer, consummate artist that he was, was also a genius of geometry and perspective. According to Betsy Wieseman, Curator of Dutch and Flemish Paintings, whose show this is, he deliberately allowed space in his paintings for the sound of the music to emerge and permeate the senses of the viewer. Her book, Vermeer and Music, is available from the gallery shop.
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Johannes Vermeer (1632 - 1675) The Music Lesson, about 1662-3 Oil on canvas 73.3 x 64.5 cm Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 |
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Johannes Vermeer (1632 - 1675) Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, about 1670-1672 Oil on canvas 25.2 x 20 cm Private collection, New York © Photo courtesy of the owner |
As a special treat, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the rooms will resound to music of the period played by the Academy of Ancient Music and a whole host of lunchtime and evening events. Times of music performances: Thursday: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm; Friday: 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm; Saturday: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm.
Until 8 September 2013 Standard price tickets are £7
I am indebted to the Scientific Department's David Peggie and Helen Howard for the results of the technical examination of four late paintings by Vermeer on display in the exhibition.
Part II follows when I've had a chance to attend the exhibition when the musicians are present.
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