Dutch Baroque painters were drawn to the theme of letter-writing and letter-reading. Their evocation of intimate communication between sender and recipient makes the viewer simultaneously curious and, perhaps, a bit like an intruder as s/he enters the painting's space. Despite the sense of intimacy, though, the theme of letters also paradoxically expands the space depicted: in each of the paintings below, for example, the letters we see have writers, unseen by us but certainly seen in the respective minds' eyes of the recipients. The viewer, then, has not merely entered a room; s/he has entered an entire world as configured, oriented, by the envisioned writer or recipient of a letter.
As with the other pairings, I hope that passers-by will feel welcome to comment and, if the muse speaks especially strongly, even to write a post--just let me know, and I'll set things up for you.
Gerard ter Borch, Peasant Girl Reflecting on a Letter, 1650-1660
Johannes Vermeer, Woman in Blue Reading a Letter, c. 1662-1665
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Women reading letters--two paintings
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I like the Ter Borch much better. The far off stare of the girl makes me wonder whether she's in shock at some bad news. A death in the family, perhaps? Although the title refers to reflection on the letter, I think she's reflecting on something else entirely. It is as if the letter no longer exists.
Cheers.
Thanks for coming my and commenting, Randall.
Although I personally prefer the Vermeer, you're quite right with your observation about reflecting. It's amazing she's still hanging on to it, she's so far away. I find myself wanting to look at whatever she's looking at, even if it's nothing at all.
The Vermeer still wins out because, for me, it has a sense of forward motion to it: the woman is in the midst of reading; it's as though if we keep watching, she'll eventually finish the letter and then, perhaps, tell us what it says.
You probably know that many of these paintings' titles are pretty catch-as-catch-can; often they have their origins as descriptions in early auction catalogues. But I rather like the blankness of the titles: they allow me some space to enter into the painting that a title that begins the job of interpreting or that orients the viewer's thinking would not permit.
I always felt the Vermeer woman was pregnant and the letter held bad news of the child's father.
I would like to exchange links with your site www.blogger.com
Is this possible?
I like the theme is a bit different but equally entertaining are beautiful paintings
Greetings I'm so grateful I discovered your webpage,
I genuinely found you by mistake, whilst I used to be searching on Aol for anything else,
Nonetheless I am right here now and would just like to say kudos for any remarkable post plus a all
round fascinating weblog (I also love the theme/design), I don't have
time to appear more than all of it in the minute but
I've bookmarked it and also additional within your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back again to study much much more, Remember to do hold up the great perform.
Also visit my homepage; free weight Lifting routines to build muscle
Quite blessed I am for positive! Thanks for stopping by!
Look into my blog post - arrow 10x8 shed manual
I use strawberries and lemon peels it might be a little sour but it sure
does whiten my teeth. All u have to do is eat like 4 or 5 strawberries and rub the lemon
peel on your teeth for about a minute. It really works!
Feel free to visit my homepage ... Dental Pro 7 Ingredients
Maybe its just the area I'm in, but how occur more support women and men don't put on
their uniforms offbase/home/ on leave?
Here is my website - attract Men
Hey Brandon! i've discovered the manual genuinely valuable, i was wondering if me having amino 1000 tablets is excellent? it claims it repairs muscle tissues right after routines, and i'm 5'7 130lbs, and also have 12% body body fat. Is that this an excellent approach to gain bodyweight?
my webpage :: six pack shortcuts download
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your blog and check again
here regularly. I am quite certain I will learn
many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
My website; vigrx plus reviews ingredients
Hello Safri, thank you for going to my website.
I am fairly certain that whenever you buy in formal web site
your bundle will probably be delivered through USPS Initial Course International Registered mail
with monitoring # and signature affirmation is necessary.
That is why I STRONGLY advise you to definitely
purchase from African Mango official web site ONLY!! Needless to say worldwide transport
could take a bit much more time.
As for the diet strategy, you are
able to stick to your carb diet program without having any difficulties.
Thanks for the inquiries!
Feel free to visit my web page; Weight Loss Supplements For Women Gnc
We're a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with helpful information to work on. You have performed an impressive activity and our entire community will likely be grateful to you.
my web-site ... office furniture lateral file cabinet
i want my fb now!!! where can i get totally free vpn????
my page; dating tips for women texting
Post a Comment