We Love Vermeer

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inArt Galleries Museums, ChasingArt, Dutch Golden Age, Johannes Vermeer, RijksmuseumTags:, , , ,

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

View of Houses in Delft, Known as ‘The Little Street’, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1658

“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

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

19 thoughts on “We Love Vermeer”

  1. 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! !

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  2. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. 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.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. 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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

Leave a reply to Rebecca Budd Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.