Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter of the 17th century, now considered one of the greatest masters of the Dutch Golden Age.
He is known for luminous domestic scenes with exquisite treatment of light: Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid.
Vermeer produced relatively few works—around 35 survive—and died in obscurity, only gaining wide recognition centuries later.
Contrast technique in painting
- glazingGlossy protective coating
- pigmentColor-imparting material
- lapis lazuliBlue ornamental stone
- ultramarineDeep blue from lapis
camera obscura · linseed oil · canvas · perspective · composition · realism · impasto · tonality
Northwestern European constitutional monarchy
- Dutch RepublicReformed confederation, 1581-1795
- Golden AgeLegendary period of perfection
- canalsConstructed water passages
- market squarePublic trading area
guild · cityscape · historic · architecture · ceramics · Delftware · blue · earthenware
Netherlands' 17th-century cultural zenith
- BaroqueOrnate artistic period
- art historyStudy of visual creativity's evolution
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- exhibitionPublic display of items
curator · Rijksmuseum · attribution · forgery · rediscovery · rarity · enigma · mystery
Intrinsic brightness of source
- glowSteady, soft light
- illuminationProvision of light
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
diffuse · window light · highlight · shadow · contrast · translucent · ambient · soft light
Inside area or region
- bourgeoisMiddle-class and conventional
- 17th centuryYears 1601-1700
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
- everyday lifeOrdinary regular existence
middle class · costume · gesture · narrative · morality · leisure · prosperity · human condition
chiaroscuro
Contrast technique in painting
- glazingGlossy protective coating
- pigmentColor-imparting material
- lapis lazuliBlue ornamental stone
ultramarine · camera obscura · linseed oil · canvas · perspective · composition · realism · impasto · tonality · gradation
Netherlands
Northwestern European constitutional monarchy
- Dutch RepublicReformed confederation, 1581-1795
- Golden AgeLegendary period of perfection
- canalsConstructed water passages
market square · guild · cityscape · historic · architecture · ceramics · Delftware · blue · earthenware · tulips
Dutch Golden Age
Netherlands' 17th-century cultural zenith
- BaroqueOrnate artistic period
- art historyStudy of visual creativity's evolution
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
exhibition · curator · Rijksmuseum · attribution · forgery · rediscovery · rarity · enigma · mystery · influence
luminosity
Intrinsic brightness of source
- glowSteady, soft light
- illuminationProvision of light
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
shimmer · diffuse · window light · highlight · shadow · contrast · translucent · ambient · soft light · pearl
interior
Inside area or region
- bourgeoisMiddle-class and conventional
- 17th centuryYears 1601-1700
- tableauStriking pictorial arrangement
everyday life · middle class · costume · gesture · narrative · morality · leisure · prosperity · human condition · observational
masterpiece
Supreme artistic achievement
Johannes VermeerCaravaggio
Renaissance-era Italian painter
Peter Paul Rubens · Jackson Pollock · Francis Bacon · Tintoretto · El Greco
Johannes VermeerPablo Picasso
Rembrandt · Peter Paul Rubens · J.M.W. Turner · Claude Monet
Johannes VermeerFrancisco Goya
Johannes, Vermeer, John, Johan, Johann, Giovanni, Juan, Ivan, Ian