Wed, 28 Dec 2011
Vermeer's Women in Cambridge
There are some wonderful pictures on display in the exhibition taking place at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Vermeer's Women. Not all of them by Jan Vermeer himself.
Right: Vermeer, The Lacemaker c.1669-1670
Although Jan Vermeer is one of the best known of the Dutch 17th Century masters, some of the others here are also amazingly good, even painting similar subjects. For example: Pieter de Hooch and Gerard ter Borch.
Left: Gerard ter Borch, Young Woman with a Glass of Wine, Holding a Letter in her Hand c.1665
Right: Pieter de Hooch, The Courtyard of a House in Delft c.1658
Most of these artists are best known for the beautiful way they painted interior
light and shade. But another thing you notice is how good they were are creating
very believable textures, whether the silk of a dress, the suede of a chair
pillow or the hard wood of furniture.
Right: Pieter de Hooch, The Courtyard of a House in Delft c.1658
There's a 10 minute discussion about the exhibition on You Tube :
You Tube hosts many interesting videos on these artists, including Vermeer's Milk Maid.