The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeers (1665)

Girl with a Pearl Earring-1653

The Girl with a Pearl Earring is a beautiful Dutch painting by Johannes Vermeers that tells a tale of every girls dream-earings! The painting was originally entitled Girl with a Turban (1665) but was renamed in the second part of the Twentieth Century. It is believed that the painting was of Maria a 13-year old daughter of Vermeer. Others have argued that is was a 16 year old maid Vermeer took a liking to. Some have referred to the picture as the Mona Lisa of the North that represents purity.

Vermeer is somewhat of a mystery to the world as no pictures or detailed records can be found. We do know that he was born as a son to an inn keeper and had his earliest experiences serving spirits. He lived most of his life in the Delft which has a population of about 25,000 people. In 1653 he married the wealthy Catharina Bolnes and converted to Catholicism. As the town was predominately Protestant they attended two hidden churches near their home. Due to war between France and the Netherlands it is believed he died at 43 due to stress and piling debt which he could not overcome due to dropping business opportunities.

Like the girl in the picture the pearl has been associated with something rate, precious and beautiful. The real pearls at the time of the painting came from the shelled molluscs and not the modern pearl farms that exist today. The gem is made of calcium carbonate and conchiolin and was considered so rare that hundreds of thousands of molluscs were killed before even one was found. Its scarcity made it more valuable.

Around 2,300 BC there have been accounts of pearls as gifts in ancient Chinese text and society. The pearls were so popular and associated with one's status that wearing them as an undeserving person in the ancient Roman world would get one into trouble. To the Greeks pears were perfect for weddings and thought to bring love. Pearls in the Arabic culture were associated with paradise and achievement of bliss.

There is little doubt that the girl in the picture is young. She is about the age where marriage is likely to take place. Her fascination with the pearl appears to coincide with a feeling of her being special. The charms still attracts ladies of all ages today. She is seen as flirting with the picture with her gaze long and drawn out. It is a picture where the charms of youthful innocence are about to be given into the adult path. One must wonder if she or the pearl itself is priceless?

The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

The Night Watch (1642) is one of the most famous paintings by Rembrandt van Rijn. The name is actually incorrect as the painting was inappropriately covered in dark varnish and appears to depict a night scene. However, the varnish was removed in the 1940's giving the total work a brighter image of day time. The painting was originally entitled Patrouille de Nuit by the French and "Night Watch" by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The intent of the painting was to move the subjects into the bright light of the day.

Rembrandt was born in Leyden to a miller and the daughter of a baker. His father owned a windmill and people came to use the saying that Rembrandt was "born in a windmill". He was brought into a family of five siblings. His father decided that he should study to be a lawyer but instead he turned to art. He received his earliest training from a relative by the name of Jacob van Swanenburch before moving onto more skilled masters. He finally moved to Amsterdam and married a wealthy lady by the name of Saskia van Ulenburg.

The painting is conducted of a Musketeer company. Captain Frans Banning-Kock and his company paid Rembrandt for a historic and glorious picture walking in the middle of day in their full dress. The two figures walking are Frans Banning-Cocq, Lord of Furmerland and Ipendam, the company captain. The archers guild who commissioned the painting refused to give Rembrandt the money because their faces were not clearly visible. He thus received the worst compensation out of any of his paintings.

The Musketeer (mousquetaire) was considered part of the basic infantry in early European history. They could at times be used as a dragoon on horseback and were lightly armed. Around 1850's they were replaced by rifleman except in Germany where they maintained the name until WWI. They were also used in Turkey where the famous Janissary Corps was formed. China also used the musketeers since the 1400s.  At times the muskets were adapted to shields and created slow burn machine guns by turning the shield as each shot was fired. 

The painting was drawn during the Dutch Golden Age that lasted from 1568-1648. The time was marked by increased wealth and flourishing works in trade, science, military and art. In 1568 seven provinces signed the Union of Utrech which started the 80 years war as a rebellion against Spain. This war continued until the Peace of Westphalia which gave the country formal recognition. The Dutch East India company started the first modern stock market and the Bank of Amsterdam was established as the first central bank.

"The Market Cart" by Thomas Gainsborough: Rural English Society

The Market Cart 1786

The Market Cart by Thomas Gainsborough is set in the scenery of rural England in 1786. The work is currently at home in National Gallery, London. The painting is of country folk returning their farm goods from the market. Within the work you can find a wood cutter picking up faggots, a family on the way to their market, and a trustworthy dog walking along the horse. It is a peaceful scenery with large oaks and nice weather that is about to turn into evening. It is a family tired, making their way home, after a long day traveling to and from the local market.

Thomas Gainsborough was a child prodigy that learned the love for art from his mother and was found painting nearly everything within his neighborhood. His father, John Gainsborough, was a cloth merchant in Sudbury, Suffolk. Thomas studied under Hayman in London and then moved on to continue his occupation. Around the age of 20 Thomas married Margaret Burr the illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Bedford. His career took off after moving to Bath where he found work with members of the high society. In 1768 he founded the Royal Society. He was able to complete over a thousand great art pieces during his lifetime from 1727-1788.

It is believed that the farm market started over 10,000 years ago in Turkey and the Middle East. Agriculture finally but slowly made its way to England around 6,500 years ago. Such markets grew as farming become more common place in the predawn of modern society. In many cases such markets were held every week and offered an opportunity for country folk to sell goods and obtain needed supplies. It was also considered a social hub during the era where the latest rumors could be heard and spread. 

The concepts of Mercantilism became British policy during this time. Mercantilism is the concept where merchants and government banded together to create greater spheres of power, influence and wealth. Wealth was often generated from trade and diverted to London where British Ships were built to develop global power and to crush American smuggling operations with the French, Dutch and Spanish. At about the time "The Market Cart" was being painted there was a movement to the Industrial Revolution, 1770s to the 1820s, that changed the landscape of rural farming to a more productive powerhouse. Thus the painting is one of Romanticism and completed during the time of rapid change where farmers began the long climb to industrial cities that continues on today.

The Agricultural Revolution was also a couple of decades in the mix and the average farmer could grow approximately 19 bushels of wheat, oats or barley off of an acre. During this time males could find work as day laborers while breaking their back for subsistence living. Tasks often included threshing, mowing, cutting wood, carting, collecting faggots (as seen in the picture), or other simple farm tasks. Additional compensation could be found in the form of housing, beer, food, or clothing. It was definitely not an easy life for most people but land was plentiful and hopes were high.