ART 142 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Johannes Vermeer, Hollerado, Portico
Document Summary
Paintings often don"t have clear narratives, but usually involved women doing quiet activities. On table in front of her are jewels and gold and silver coins. Thought initially she was weighing gold, but jan used only one pigment for gold which is not in the scales. Painting behind her is of the last judgement. Where the women"s head is, typically would be saint michael weighing souls on a scale. Circles of confusion = blobs of light when using a camera that"s focused on one object, blur- ring the background. Vermeer paints women who seem always to be thinking. Lack of religious and civic commissions at the time. Groups of local men who defended their towns. Organized like a guild, had a lot of banquets which were commemorated by paintings. Usually stood in lines; this one different. Organized so that both the collective and individual are emphasized.
