Art: The Concert by Johannes Vermeer

The Concert was painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1664 and was stolen in 1990. The painting features a harpsichord, singing and other pictures. Items are thrown around in the foreground in a haphazard manner. These items include jugs, carpet, mirrors and other items. The impression appears to be a casual meeting within a manor or home familiar to the author. 

The meaning seems obscure and many don’t understand what message the painter is trying to portray. There are some hints with the paintings on the wall. Many have come to the conclusion that the author is trying to discuss harmony but hinting at something improper by nature. A special time and a special place with each member focused squarely on the process of music production. 

It is also possible to see a lute and violin by the table indicating that this room may be one for music only. The people within the painting are completely unaware they are being observed indicating that they are true musical lovers. The room appears to be a blend of the real and the imagined indicating that Vermeer used both real objects as well as his memory. 

The painter Johannes Vermeer was born around 1632 and died in 1675. He was seen as a middle class painter that appeared to complete much of his work out of local scenes as well as his home. Most of his paintings were with women. He did not complete many paintings and appeared to take considerable amount of time with each one which is apparent in their depth.  His death left his family in debt.

Other Reading: 

http://www.gardnermuseum.org/collection/browse?filter=artist:3284

http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/concert.html

http://www.essentialvermeer.com/cat_about/concert.html

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/march/reward-offered-for-return-of-stolen-gardner-museum-artwork/psa-video

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/03/18/feds-reveal-investigative-developments-publicity-campaign-gardner-heist-probe/fdplwk1vSL1SPtaTdAZVIJ/story.html

Painting: Tobit Accusing Anna of Stealing the Kid

The subject of the painting was taken from the Apocryphal Book of Tobit. Tobit was a wealthy and strict adherent to Mosaic Law. He lost all of his money and was blinded by an accident. The wife went to work sewing and washing to support the family. She brought home a kid goat and Tobit accused her of stealing it. She chastised him for his self-righteousness and frees him from his limited thinking. Later their fortunes are restored by the efforts of their son and his eyes fixed from blindness from fish entrails.

The painting helps us think about how even from the lowest depths man’s lot can change. It is difficult for us to judge others with any real sense of accuracy. To do so requires the ability to weigh and balance all of the possible reasons and justifications. Unfortunately, many of us make the fatal mistake of using self-righteousness to make ourselves look better than and more moral than others. In this case, freeing himself from his narrow thinking also freed him to improve his life. 

The painting is from Rembrandt and was completed in Leiden in 1625. He had a knack for putting religious themes and emotion within his paintings. These emotions related around concepts such as joy and anguish. As he got older his paintings improved expressing such feelings with ever increasing finite detail. He turned from a timid painter to a bold painter with lifelike scenes.

Rembrandt made a mistake in this painting and covered up an object. He painted over a spinning wheel to express the anguish and supplication better with Tobit’s hands. The wheel would have shown the rest of the story and difficulties his wife was having to make ends meet but would have confused the area. One can still see a part of the spinning wheel and spokes. Tobit’s is naturally darker in this area. 

Rembrandt, known as Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, was born in 1606 during the Dutch Golden Age. He is seen as one of the world’s greatest painters. Even though he achieved success early in his life and his paintings were popular throughout Europe during his lifetime he had significant financial hardship in his later years. He liked to buy lots of unique works and had an extensive collection. Perhaps more than he could afford. Eventually he needed to liquidate his work through bankruptcy. 

One unique feature of Rembrandt was his stereo blindness. An analysis of a number of paintings helped to determine that his two eyes did not function together well. He did not perceive the same level of depth as others. This flattening made it easier for him to draw pictures on a two dimensional canvas. This became a modern method of teaching art students to close one eye while painting to create the same effect. 

The Reading of Tobit

Night Market by Johan Culverhouse

Johann Mengels Culverhouse (1820-1895) was born in Rotterdam and was known as the “candlelight painter” for his night time paintings. He traveled to Europe and other places while engaging in his artwork. The experiences he gained contributed to his artistic viewpoint and keen perception.  Even though he painted for the American audience his style and experience leaked his European style.  Not much is known about him other than he sold a number of paintings and died in the 1890’s.

Night markets were customarily less formal than day markets. Many of the participants leisurely walked around, ate food, and had long conversations browsing the area. The scene is set in a European style town with the moon light in the sky and a large church in the background. The buildings are stone and a few lights from the local apartments are apparent. It is a chilly evening with the ladies wearing traditional garb and many of the men in full beards.  This is a makeshift market set up quickly for local residents.

 The painting brings up a feeling of a simple time gone by and intrigue into the early evening. It is a scene of romantic evenings and light shopping. The various nooks and crannies of the painting offer interesting places to look and the moonlight provides a feeling of life in time. Upon each of the tables people have cuddled together furthering this impression of intimacy and togetherness. These are simple city folks buying bread, meat, items and other trinkets for their daily needs.

The History of "Three Ships in a Gale" 1673

Three Ships in a Gale 1673

Willem van de Velde was a Dutch maritime painter in the 17th Century. His paintings focused primarily on seascape painting which later influenced such English paintings in the next century. His father and brother were also painters which influenced his choice of occupation. He stayed in Amsterdam where an economic collapse sparked a French invasion and the family moved to England. His father found work in the Queen's House at Greenwich working for Charles II.

Many of his paintings were about the open seas. "A Gale" was a painting in 1673 of Holland's naval power and trade. It is hosted at the National Gallery in London. Within the picture it is easy to see the waves washing over the fishing-smack and a frigate approaching in the background. The seas represented both ferocity as well as economic opportunities. Many investments were lost and made on the open seas. Such ships were subject to being lost at sea, attacked by other naval powers, disease, or slaughtered at port by hostile locals. This period was one of romantic danger and historical heroes. 

Dutch shipping in this period included silk, gold, copper, textiles, spices, coffee, tea and sugar. The population in Holland exploded along with the shipping from 30,000 people in 1565 to 100,000 people in 1630. The majority of workers on these ships were immigrants who were attracted to the high pay despite the risks associated. Much of the trading was between Indian and Holland.

The Golden Age of Dutch shipping existed between the 16th – 17th Centuries. At which time it began to wain as English shipping encroached on the Dutch powerhouse. The Dutch East India Company, Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, started in 1602 and ended in 1796. It was one of the first mega-corporations that held governmental powers and could wage war, imprison people, execute convicts, create money, establish colonies and even negotiate treaties. The power of this company was enormous during this time of Dutch society.