Baroque Era Art
Girl with a Pearl Earring was painted by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer circa 1665, presumably in Delft. Apart from being a magnificent specimen of Baroque art in terms of composition, style and subject matter, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is also a wonderful representation of the rise of the merchant class in Holland—and Europe in general. The Baroque ear witnessed a remarkable ascension of the middle/merchant class of Europe. Trade flourished and money poured into the pockets of the merchant public. Eastern furnished products became popular in Holland and all over Europe (Grisham). Silks and Eastern fashion increased in popularity and became integrated into European mode (Janson). This trend is evident in Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring; the young woman depicted is wearing an Eastern style turban in addition to her customary Dutch dress. She has integrated the two cultural styles, prominent of the Baroque ear; a practice made possible by the rise of the merchant class (“Jan Vermeer.”).
I’m particularly fond of this painting because it is incredibly lively and expressive, while at the same time a bit subdued and very calming. Vermeer was very successful—in my opinion—in portraying action in Girl with a Pearl Earring. Whenever I see this painting I feel as though the young woman depicted has actually just turned to look at me. I’m always very impressed when an artist is able to capture such intimate action in oil paint. Additionally, the woman’s facial features look so real—it blows me away. Her lips and eyes actually look shiny and moist, very life like.
References:
Grisham, Kathleen. “Fast Facts.” Dutch Baroque.
Janson, Jonathan. “The Turban.” The Girl with a Pearl Earring.
“Jan Vermeer.” Dutch Baroque.
Picture:
http://amysbabies.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/vermeer-girl-with-a-pearl-earring1665.jpg (Google image search)
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You have a great taste in art. The Dutch paintings definately encouraged the rise of the merchant class during that time. I really like how people could enjoy and purchase this artwork no matter what their job was. The Dutch communities were proud of their art. When you say it looks like she just turned her head and is looking at you, it makes me smile, because it totally does seem that way. I agree that the painting is very life like. Good information and references make this a great blog. Thanks for the info.
“The Baroque ear witnessed a remarkable ascension of the middle/merchant class of Europe. “
My guess is that this was a typo but when you consider your post is about a girl and her ear decorations its pretty funny. This is a painting I was familiar with and I think its somewhat iconic of this period from what some of my more cultured friends have told me. I like the painting; its not too busy, the composition is simple but the figure pops out of the painting,
Looking at the earring she is depicted wearing I am reminded of the MC Escher drawing of the shiny reflective sphere held by a hand. It looks as if if I were able to get close to the painting I could see my reflection in it. The other person already said this but the girl really does look real. I don’t see a character but instead it looks more like a real person. The information seems accurate, but I found some differing opinions of when it was painted, all of them were within two or three years of the date you and most other sites gave.
She has no facial hair (eye lashes included) and I mean Zero. I wonder what happened to her. I feel I am pointing out the elephant in the room but that is what I first noticed and yet I am finding myself really intrigued by this painting. As far as the year it was painted I am finding that there are discrepancies with many of the other paintings also. I love her eyes and the way it makes me want her to blink and I liked how you tied in the attire to the era. I really liked reading your blog and your choice in this painting, thank you.
Folks with light blond and red hair frequently have almost imperceptible lashes and eyebrows. My grandmother, and my best friend are two examples.
There were also fashion rages throughout Europe that dictated the shaving of eyebrows and even hairlines among aristocratic women – think back to the portraits of Queen Elizabeth:
http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada2.jpg