Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter famous for the portrait of The Girl With A Pearl Earring, among others. The painting I have chosen is his work ‘The Art of Painting, which was completed in around 1668 and now displayed in a gallery in Austria. Considered to be his most detailed canvas, it shows his wonderful use of light, as the painter represented works on a portrait of a woman dresed in blue and holding a book and a musical instrument. Incredible details can be seen, not least the huge accurate map of the Low Countries on the far wall. I think it is amazing, and so did Vermeer. As he refused to sell it during his lifetime, keeping it in his studio as an example of his talent.
beetleypete 
Hi Pete, I understand why he wanted to keep this fabulous picture.
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Lots to admire here, but the map alone takes my breath away.
Best wishes, Pete.
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No wonder he kept the painting for himself. The detail is remarkable. Wow!
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I would dearly love to see this one in a gallery, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I would, too! Best to you, Pete
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Wow! That piece is photographic. It is crazy how he did not try to make his workplace look tidy. There are clothes on a table, and they make it all the more believable.
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Yes, he made it as real as possible, even though the painter in the painting is not actually Vermeer, but a generic ‘Artist’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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“a generic ‘Artist’” as opposed to a Nambe Brand Artist. :-) Warmest regards, Ed
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I suppose what he thought an ‘artist at work’ should look like.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This one is so full of symbolism it’s like a culture and history lesson. What might be a good idea to note with these paintings is their original size. Condensed the fine detail appears meticulous as an etching. No less impressive in full size, but much easier to grasp. I say that because growing up looking at art in coffee table and library books doesn’t prepare you for the canvas. This one is almost the size of half a sheet of plywood. Or you can buy a “museum quality” hand painted full size reproduction by “European artists with Academic Education” for 7,771 US dollars 🤣 Everything is a clone these days…
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I agree that they are best seen on a gallery wall. Unfortunately I could not find a larger photo of this one to use.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That suggestion was just to help illuminate the painting in its own context. Bigger photos won’t do that because a good many iconic art pieces are wall size. And I mean BIG walls🤣
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I’m neVER MEERly appreciative of his art. I’m very impressed by it.
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You squeezed that one in very nicely, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wonderful details!
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If I ever went to Austria I would seek it out, Sue.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re right. The detail he was able to achieve, including a map, is just incredible!
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After all the years since I first saw a photo of this painting, I still haven’t got over the detail of that accurate map, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You have certainly found some amazing examples of art. If I painted a picture like that I wouldn’t have sold it either. I can’t even imagine being so talented. This is beautiful.
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I am very pleased you enjoyed it so much, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Only about 30 paintings have been attributed to Vermeer, hardly surprising as he would spend up to a year on one work. The Art of Painting could be a self portrait, I doubt it, as the gentleman looks too wealthy. My favourite is The Milkmaid, I have a copy in my kitchen.
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Yes, that one is a classic illustration of the use of light.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve always enjoyed Vermeer. I can usually spot one of his paintings right off!
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The Dutch Masters had a nicely distinctive style, I agree.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is cool…
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Glad you think so, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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What a stunning painting. I don’t think I have seen it before.
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I have only ever seen photos of it, but the whole thing is a joy to admire, especially the map.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love Vermeer. This is an amazing piece of his work.
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It really is. Thanks, Darlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The Dutch were so precise. Great painting chuq
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Yes, a great example of such precision, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wonderful painting, and very painstaking work. Cheers, Jon.
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When I saw a photo of this decades ago, the map on the wall astounded me!
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is amazingly detailed, the map is astounding.
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I saw a photo of this many years ago and could hardly grasp how he managed to recreate that map. I never forgot that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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