Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, The beauty in simplicity painted by Johannes Vermeer
Young Woman with Water Pitcher, Johannes Vermeer, 1662, Holland.
Johannes Vermeer’s Young Woman with Water Pitcher is a painting that shows what art you would see in Holland during the 17th century. There was a rise in the merchant class because of the Protestant culture. The Catholic Church was a primary supporter of artists. With the Protestant Reformation, the artist needed to find a different way to support themselves; this led to the change of subject matter, and the Young Woman with Water Pitcher is a quintessential example.
This painting depicts a young woman holding a water pitcher and opening a window on a sunny day. This painting shows an idealized domestic life in Dutch society. Although the use of light and dark is subtle, the use of Chiaroscuro stands out in this painting. The light is shining through the stained glass window, shown under her arm, filling the room around her. The light is also shining through her headdress with the use of shadowing on it. Vermeer also shows light being reflected on the water pitcher that she is holding. This light creates a composition, highlighting the three main elements in the painting that center the woman in the image; this brings attention to her and her serenity. The colors used in this are rich; there is a patterned use of a dark midnight hue that you can see in the women's dress, window, and the map behind her. Even though these colors are dark and rich, it does not take away from the paintings elegance and softness.
I appreciate the Dutch Baroque paintings because a wide variety of people had the ability to enjoy art. Johannes Vermeer’s Young Woman with Water Pitcher shows the beauty in simplicity, the beauty of everyday life.
Work Cite
“Vermeer, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher (Video).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/
Comments
Post a Comment