December 15, 2007

Jan Vermeer: Girl With Pearl Earring

I've seen this painting several times, but this time, it just stopped me in my tracks. I told Kim I might try reproducing it.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That really is a powerful painting. I think you like the subject! ;-)

Keith said...

For real, I've been wanting to start painting people, and this one is just about perfection in simplicity, tonal variation, contrast, mood, composition and yeah the girl is very pretty. But I think the subject is a girl just between childhood innocence and maturity. It's amazing that a slight opening of her mouth tells so much. And her eyes. Are they wanting? Or are they just looking back before she runs to play?

What attracted me to this one was drawing another by a guy named Menzel. He had ten people in the painting. It was very complex and extremely well done but kinda goofy.

But maybe this is goofy too. Maybe it is overly romantic and unreal.

In any case, I can learn a lot from it.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I was just teasing. I love the contrast of light and dark, the way he captured her in that great expression...it's beautiful. I think you should reproduce it.

Keith said...

I may. I need a teacher.

This painting is deceptively simple, unlike Menzel's.

The thing is, maybe I could reproduce it, but I might not be painting when I do that. I might be rubbing on colors. I wonder how fluidly this painting was done.

I love this stuff.