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Johannes Vermeer (1632-75) is one of the most famous & popular old masters. Despite this, we know little about him or his life. Indeed, his work was only rediscovered in the 19th century. Yesterday was the anniversary of his birth.
He was brought up in Delft in the Netherlands where his father worked in textiles - a knowledge that pervades Vermeer’s work. His father was also a dealer in pictures. Christ in the House of Martha & Mary (1654-5), Diana & her Companions (1655-6) & St Praxidis (1655)
Here’s an overview of my own artwork. It’s inspired by my fascination in the natural & subconscious worlds. Art, for me, is about love, hope & joy & this is evident in my work. https://twitter.com/robertbohan/status/1322171127486177282
Vermeer married in 1653 after converting to Catholicism. His mother in law was wealthy & probably insisted on this - & the couple ended up living with her. Woman Asleep at a Table (1657), The Procuress (1656) & Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (1657)
The painter lived in an inn with his mother in law, wife & 10 children & probably a servant or two. It was not the peace suggested in his work! Officer with Laughing Girl (1657), A Lady Drinking & a Gentleman (1658) & The Milkmaid (1658)
One of my favourite images by Vermeer is his Little Street (1657-8) where we get to see a Delft Street & the daily domestic scenes that might be encountered in the 17th C. The subtle colouring & technical perfection are superlative
We don’t know who Vermeer trained under but it may have been one of the Dutch Catholic artists of Utrecht. His View of Delft is a tour de force of observation & subtle compositional rearrangement (1659-60). Young Woman with a Water Jug (1660-2) & Lady at the Virginals (1662-5)
My cousin’s independent bookshop
@CompanyofBooks is taking online orders at http://thecompanyofbooks.ie She even does local delivery in Dublin 6 as well as mail order. Treat yourself to a good read!
@CompanyofBooks is taking online orders at http://thecompanyofbooks.ie She even does local delivery in Dublin 6 as well as mail order. Treat yourself to a good read!
He joined the Guild of St Luke in 1653 - the professional guild of artists. The fine realist style pictures of Gerard Dou may have inspired his astonishingly real looking images. Woman in Blue (1663-4), Woman with a Pearl Necklace (1662-4) & Woman Holding a Balance (1664)
The Dutchman was clearly respected by his fellow artists as he was elected head of the Guild in 1662 (& 1663, 1670 & 1671). Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665), The Art of Painting (1665-7) & A Lady Writing a Letter (1665-6)
Another of my favourite works by him is the Love Letter with its careful framing & the intimate exchange of glances between the women. The Love Letter (1667-8), The Astronomer (1668) & Lady with her Maid Servant (1667)
In 1674 he was listed a member of the Civic Guard. The Lacemaker (1669-70), The Geographer (1668) & the Allegory of Faith (c1670-2). The latter painting is rich in symbolism & conceptual meaning. It lacks the mesmerising authenticity of his other work where description entices
He died in 1675 in financial difficulties due to war & economic problems in the Low Countries. The Guitar Player (1672) is his last known work - he finishes on a smile with activity apparently going on outside the picture’s frame.
Vermeer was relatively unknown outside of NL & he disappeared from history until c1860 - his body of known work is small & numbers about 34 paintings. Lady writing a Letter with her Maid (1670) has an astonishing understanding of light & is a masterpiece & is in . @NGIreland
Here’s more on my artwork. To learn more about each of my original drawings just click on the links in the thread. If you have any questions just private msg me. https://twitter.com/robertbohan/status/1319046216198533120
