Vermeer's Street in Delft, a review

    Today's subject is a landscape, Jan Vermeer's Street in Delft.   As with other paintings examined, I will write about this one as if I know nothing of Vermeer, a little of Holland or Delft.   Again, the object is simply to enjoy the painting by finding the clues left by the artist.
    First the composition.  The painting has a design very similar to the Kirchner painting, Bergheuer
reviewed in March.  A light yellow base cements a huge triangle coming from the right balanced by the triangle of the sky and smaller shapes to the left.  The angle of the line in the cobblestone street breaks up that rectangle, sending our eye right into the little alley.  Also notice the left edge of the major building (on the right) is dead center.   So huge an object to weight down the whole right side, but it does not - why?  I think because the facade of all the building fronts are punctuate with windows and doors.  How intriguing!  How we wish we could pop in to see interior spaces.
    So what is happening?   It seems to be summer and midday because the sunlight is casting no deep, long shadows.   The vine on the left is full and very healthy.  The clouds show no distinct movement, they are fluffy and bright.  It is simply a beautiful day in Delft, a perfect time for an artist to be outside painting his home.
   Three women are depicted and how truly important they are.  Each is completely engaged in her work and separated from each other.   Listen.   Can you hear anything?   Children playing, birds chirping, carts or horses coming?   No.  This is simply a lovely image of a normal work day in Delft, and it is why I am attracted to it.  Here is a normal day, with normal people.  This is how they dressed, and how they worked over 350 years ago.   And, I have read that today we could travel to Delft and see this very street, much as it is in the painting   How rare to peek back in time - Thanks to Jan Vermeer for giving us this gift.
   Make Art a part of your life, its a beautiful thing to do!

Comments

  1. charguthApril 5, 2019 at 6:00 PM

    It is un to review a painting we've studied. This is such a quiet atmosphere. It's a bright day but I see no shadows. Skies and clouds always fascinate me. I like Vermeer. Thankyou

    ReplyDelete
  2. JudithMarie5April 6, 2019 at 10:39 PM

    This is one of many Vermeer favorites of mine. The serene calm of the motif is engaging, the architecture is a personal draw, overcast clouds mean less or no shadows. People humanize any painting, the viewer's eye is drawn to them. Any architecture is of personal interest, Vermeer excels.

    ReplyDelete

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