Johannes Vermeer is the creator of what are perhaps some of the most recognized paintings today. He was born on October 31, 1632 in the Dutch Republic. His focus in painting was middle-class life, and his work is known for his use of light. As you can see in Girl with a Pearl Earring and in the paintings below, he always had a strong light source, often from a window near the people he depicted. This allowed a natural feel in his images, and it also meant that his work was more interesting to look at. He spent a great deal of money on expensive pigments because he realized that rich color makes such a difference in bringing a painting alive, even if the difference is subtle. A touch of blue or purple hue given to shadow, rather than a simply darker value, adds depth and interest to a scene, and Vermeer understood this well. His use of warm colors in areas of light was striking. He payed special attention to even the slightest color reflection from objects onto walls. He never painted anything simply in the color that it was, but rather as it appeared. To understand the difference between these two things is one of the greatest foundations for creating quality art.
Below are shown The Milkmaid, The Art of Painting,
and The Astronomer.
