Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum
February 10 – June 4, 2023, The Rijksmuseum has promised the largest Johannes Vermeer exhibition, entitled Vermeer. The magnitude of this exhibition is envisioned in the research projects leading up to the February 2023 opening. In the weeks ahead, ChasingART will travel virtually to The Rijksmuseum to find the stories behinds the paintings.
The Love Letter, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1669 – c. 1670
oil on canvas, h 44cm × w 38.5cm
“Vermeer chose a remarkable point of view for this painting. A glimpse of a room with a domestic scene can be seen from a dimly lit room. A richly dressed woman expectantly receives a letter from a maid. The subject of the letter may be apparent from the seascape behind them. In the 17th century, the sea was often compared to love, and the lover to a ship.” Rijksmuseum
View of Houses in Delft, Known as ‘The Little Street’, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1658
oil on canvas, h 54.3cm × w 44cm × d 9cm
“This is an unusual painting in Vermeer’s oeuvre, and remarkable for its time as a portrait of ordinary houses. The composition is as exciting as it is balanced. The old walls with their bricks, whitewash, and cracks are almost tangible. The location is Vlamingstraat 40–42 in Delft. Vermeer’s aunt Ariaentgen Claes lived in the house at the right, with her children, from around 1645 until her death in 1670.” Rijksmuseum
ChasingART 
This is very interesting! I love the photo of “The Little Street” We have seen and had a podcast about this painter, always very worthwhile to see and hear about him and his work. Thank you for sharing! !
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I am delighted that you enjoyed “The Little Street” with me, Frances. I am going to explore more of Vermeer’s paintings in the new year. Hard to believe that 2023 is close at hand.
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Tomorrow is December! Hard to believe, a very good time of year. And, we have had snow!(
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Your Vermeer travels sound great. I’ll be along!
I wonder if the show will travel? to…Toronto?
I suppose it would be dangerous to have the works travelling, as they are worth more than a fortune.
Pity he died in poverty, and left his wife and children impoverished.
I always feel a shame when an artist’s works sell for millions, knowing they lived in penury.
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Hi Rebecca, if the stars stay aligned, I will be visiting this museum in March 2023.
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I am EXCITED to hear this wonderful news. I know the stars will stay aligned. You must see this exhibition for both of us!
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I will take a stack of pictures, Rebecca. And!!!! Terence is going to book for us to visit the Somme and do a tour at the end of the trip. I am so excited!
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You are the best, Robbie! I am so excited for you and for me!! I love seeing the world through your eyes!
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Thank you for another engaging video about Vermeer’s paintings and what he was able to communicate through his images and use of light. I’m enjoying them immensely!
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Thank you, Liz. I find that my virtual visits to Art Galleries is a life-affirming experience and I am delighted to find that you have made that virtual trip as well. Like you, I have been considering how social media has changed over the past couple of years. I was on the Internet Archives blog and read that they are now on Mastodon. Check out this link: http://blog.archive.org/2022/11/13/we-have-added-a-mastodon-server/
I am following this topic closely. I thought you would be interested.
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Thanks, Rebecca. Mastadon has been under much discussion in author forums as a place to go after leaving Twitter. I’m keeping an eye on developments, but I’m not ready to take on another social media platform at the moment.
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I am with you on that thought, Liz. At this point, Mastodon is rather nebulous and I am now looking at taking more time for creative endeavours.
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I’m looking at taking more time for creative endeavors as well.
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We really do love him!!!! I’ve been following Rijksmuseum website for sometime. I look forward to taking that journey with you, my dearest friend! xoxo
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Two very different but absolutely spectacular paintings! Thank you, Rebecca, for another Vermeer experience!
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Thank you, Dave, for travelling virtually with me to the Rijksmuseum. Isn’t it interesting how we gain a new respect and appreciation when we look more closely at an artwork. My art calendar is my daily meditation.
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I look forward to this series, Rebecca! I really like “The Little Street.” Vermeer and his light!
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The Rijksmuseum has an amazing website, Mary Jo, that reaches out to those who can only travel virtually. In December I am traveling virtually to London to visit The National Gallery, then plan to take that short jaunt back to the Rijksmuseum. Come with me!!! Sending hugs.
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Count me in! Hugs+++
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