Good morning!
Welcome to the sixth issue of the Monday Morning Art Dispatch.
Today, I'm excited to present one of my favorite painters, Johannes Vermeer, and his masterpiece “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. This Baroque gem, often called the "Mona Lisa of the North" captivates viewers with its enigmatic beauty and exquisite use of light.
In this issue, we pair Vermeer’s work with Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Air on the G String," a piece that shares the painting’s serene and introspective qualities. This beautiful performance by the Freiburger Barockorchester enhances the contemplative atmosphere that Vermeer so masterfully creates.
Enjoy this moment of calm and reflection, and then read on to discover the rich history and artistry behind these timeless works.
The Painting
Girl with a Pearl Earring (Meisje met de parel)
Johannes Vermeer, a Dutch painter from the 17th-century, remains a mysterious figure in art history. Despite the fame of his works, very little is known about his life.
Vermeer was born in Delft, a city that, like the rest of the Netherlands, had turned away from the rule of aristocracy and the Catholic Church after a long rebellion against Spanish control. This period, known as the Dutch Golden Age, was marked by immense economic and cultural growth, driven largely by the rise of the merchant class.
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” exemplifies Vermeer’s mastery in capturing light and texture. The painting is categorized as a tronie, a Dutch term referring to a character study that focuses on depicting a particular facial expression or type of character rather than serving as a formal portrait of an individual. Tronies were popular in Dutch households because they depicted intriguing figures in various costumes, often conveying an air of mystery and exoticism. Unlike traditional portraits, which were intended to capture the likeness of a specific person, tronies allowed artists to explore different characters and emotions, showcasing their technical skills and creativity.
In this painting, Vermeer presents a young girl with an exotic headdress and a large pearl earring. The girl's attire, particularly her turban, reflects the global influences of the Dutch Republic, which had become a major center of trade. The turban and the pearl suggest a connection to the far-reaching trade networks of the Dutch East India Company. The earring, while appearing luxurious, is likely an artistic illusion, as Vermeer’s modest means would not have allowed for such an extravagant accessory.
The girl's headdress is an amalgamation of styles, not accurately representing any single culture. This blend of influences hints at the fascination with the exotic that was prevalent during Vermeer's time. The turban's vivid blue and yellow contrast beautifully with her skin tones and the dark background, making the figure stand out dramatically.
Vermeer's technique is remarkable. He uses chiaroscuro—contrasting light and dark—to create a sense of depth and volume. The girl is illuminated against a dark background, which makes her appear almost three-dimensional. Her slightly parted lips and direct gaze create an intimate connection with the viewer, inviting speculation about her thoughts and emotions. This ambiguity is a hallmark of Vermeer's work, drawing viewers into a contemplative engagement with the painting.
One of the most striking aspects of “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is Vermeer's meticulous attention to the play of light. He masterfully captures the delicate shimmer of the pearl, the softness of the girl's skin, and the rich textures of her clothing. The subtle gradations of light and shadow on her face and clothing enhance the sense of realism, making her appear almost lifelike. Vermeer's use of light not only highlights the physical attributes of the girl but also adds a layer of emotional depth to the painting. The way light glistens off her moist lips, the sparkle in her eyes, and the gentle shadows on her face all contribute to an expression that is both serene and enigmatic.
The dark background against which the girl is set serves to enhance her luminosity, creating a stark contrast that draws the viewer's attention solely to her. Recent research at the Mauritshuis, headed by Abbie Vandivere, revealed that this background, previously thought to be black, is actually a dark green curtain. This technique isolates the subject, giving her an ethereal quality and emphasizing her importance within the composition. The absence of any contextual background elements means that the focus remains entirely on the girl and her mysterious expression, allowing viewers to project their own interpretations onto her.
The girl's gaze is one of the most compelling features of the painting. Her head is turned over her shoulder, and she looks directly at the viewer with wide eyes and slightly parted lips, as if she is about to speak. This direct eye contact creates an intimate connection, making it feel as though she is engaging with us personally. The ambiguity of her expression—whether curious, surprised, or thoughtful—invites endless speculation. Vandivere’s research team also revealed that while the Girl appears to have no eyelashes to the naked eye, macro-X-ray fluorescence scanning and microscopic examination uncovered that Vermeer painted tiny hairs around both eyes, adding a layer of intimacy and detail that makes her more personal than previously thought, even though her true identity remains a mystery.
The “Girl with a Pearl Earring” also showcases Vermeer's mastery of texture. The smoothness of her skin, the soft folds of her headdress, and the reflective surface of the pearl are all rendered with exquisite precision. Vermeer’s skill in depicting different materials and textures adds to the overall realism and beauty of the painting, making it a true masterpiece of portraiture.
In the broader context of Dutch art, Vermeer’s work represents a shift towards depicting the everyday life and ordinary people with an extraordinary level of detail and beauty. The Netherlands in the 17th century was a period of great wealth and cultural flourishing. This wealth allowed for a burgeoning art market, with an increasing demand for art that depicted the life and values of the burgeoning middle class. Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” fits into this cultural context as it combines a sense of realism with an idealized beauty that appeals to the viewer’s imagination.
While the identity of the girl remains unknown, her image has become iconic, symbolizing not just the beauty of Vermeer's art but also the enigmatic allure that characterizes much of his work. Housed at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, Girl with a Pearl Earring’s enduring appeal speaks to the universal fascination with its subject's enigmatic gaze and Vermeer's extraordinary ability to render light and texture.
Note: If you’re in The Hague or somewhere close by, the Mauritshuis Museum is currently offering a fascinating exhibition titled “Who's that Girl?” which delves deep into the painting's history and Vermeer's techniques. It shares new findings about the painting's original appearance in 1665, revealing changes it has undergone over the centuries. You can see a 4-meter-high 3D print of the Girl, enlarged about 100 times, allowing for an unprecedented close-up view of Vermeer's brushwork and techniques. The exhibit also includes a detailed display of the pigments Vermeer used, sourced from around the world, offering insight into the materials and methods that created this masterpiece.
- More details on Mauritshuis website.
The Music
I think Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Air on the G String" is a remarkable piece that resonates deeply with its serene and introspective melody. The history behind this piece is interesting as well. Originally part of his Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068, composed around 1730, the "Air" movement gained widespread popularity in the 19th century due to an arrangement by August Wilhelm, a German violinist, who adapted the piece for violin and piano and transposed it to G major, focusing the melody exclusively on the violin's G string. This arrangement, known for its lyrical and melodic qualities, allowed the violinist to play the entire piece on a single string, enhancing its simplicity and beauty.
When I pair Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Air on the G String" with Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” it creates a perfect ambiance for several reasons. The gentle flow and emotional depth of the music echo the softness and subtlety in Vermeer’s brushwork. The music’s serene and introspective mood aligns beautifully with the mysterious and enigmatic quality of the painting. Both pieces evoke universal themes of beauty, mystery, and the human experience, transcending their respective historical contexts.
The interpretation by Freiburger Barockorchester, under the direction of Gottfried von der Goltz, adds a layer of authenticity and historical accuracy to Bach’s composition. Known for their expertise in Baroque performance practices, von der Goltz and the orchestra bring out the nuances of phrasing, ornamentation, and dynamics inherent in Bach’s music. Their meticulous attention to detail enriches the listening experience, resonating with the meticulous details and nuanced expression found in Vermeer’s painting.
Today, "Air on the G String" remains a beloved piece in classical music repertoire, with its tranquil melody and graceful simplicity. It has a clear and remarkable ability to evoke a sense of serenity and contemplation, which makes it a perfect complement to Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in my opinion.