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Vermeer and the Art of Painting
This book examines the creative process and technical means by which the great Dutch seventeenth-century painter achieved his remarkable pictorial effects.
Arthur Wheelock begins by placing Vermeer's art in historical perspective, with emphasis on the artistic environment in his home city of Delft and the importance of history painting in the mid-1600s. He then closely examines seventeen of the thirty-six extant paintings in Vermeer's oeuvre, works that span the range of the artist's career. Using the results of x-rays, pigment analysis, and infrared reflectography, some of the secrets of Vermeer's wonderfully elusive artistry are revealed. For example, Vermeer was able to simulate reality, simplify and highlight meaning, establish a sense of time and permanence, and enhance the mood he wished to create through inventive use of brushwork, color, and compositional refinements. Lavishly illustrated with color reproductions of Vermeer's paintings, the book is certain to appeal to all devotees of Dutch art.
Arthur Wheelock begins by placing Vermeer's art in historical perspective, with emphasis on the artistic environment in his home city of Delft and the importance of history painting in the mid-1600s. He then closely examines seventeen of the thirty-six extant paintings in Vermeer's oeuvre, works that span the range of the artist's career. Using the results of x-rays, pigment analysis, and infrared reflectography, some of the secrets of Vermeer's wonderfully elusive artistry are revealed. For example, Vermeer was able to simulate reality, simplify and highlight meaning, establish a sense of time and permanence, and enhance the mood he wished to create through inventive use of brushwork, color, and compositional refinements. Lavishly illustrated with color reproductions of Vermeer's paintings, the book is certain to appeal to all devotees of Dutch art.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 1995
About the author
Arthur K. Wheelock Jr.
41 books3 followersArthur K. Wheelock, Jr. is the curator of the Northern European Art Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. and professor of art history at the University of Maryland. He has lectured widely and written extensively on Dutch and Flemish art.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 25, 2010
There is a dual meaning in the title. The Art of Painting is the title of one of Vermeer's masterpieces. This explores his techniques, and his development as an artist.
Even though Vermeer's work is very optical, the apparent reality is extremely manipulated, shadows and lights are where they need to be compositionally, and to highten the mood and theme. He used the camera obscura, but to research and create effects of focus. In later years he generalized a lot, but still keeping the optical appearance. Everything he did was very clever and under the radar as it were, appearing to be an exact transcription of reality, but actually far more deliberate than first appearances.
Even though Vermeer's work is very optical, the apparent reality is extremely manipulated, shadows and lights are where they need to be compositionally, and to highten the mood and theme. He used the camera obscura, but to research and create effects of focus. In later years he generalized a lot, but still keeping the optical appearance. Everything he did was very clever and under the radar as it were, appearing to be an exact transcription of reality, but actually far more deliberate than first appearances.
September 2, 2016
Some history, but mostly a close diagnostic review on 17 of his paintings. I found it a very interesting dissection of how he painted, creating a "feel" and intimacy between painting and viewer. King of light. I LOVE his works!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews