There are many painters I admire, but only a few that speak right to my heart.
One of them is Johannes Vermeer(1632-1675).
A couple of his paintings can be seen in the Gemäldegalerie (Picture Gallery) in Berlin, and I can not count the times I stood in front of them, completely mesmerized.
In comparison to Rembrandt (1606-1669), who lived and worked around the same time, and whose works depict a wide range of style and subject matter – from portraits and self-portraits to landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical and historical scenes, biblical and mythological themes as well as animal studies – Vermeer specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life, which are also called genre paintings.
Vermeer frequently worked with very expensive pigments, like ultramarine, lead-tin yellow (which is also known as the “Yellow of the Old Masters”), madder lake (Alizarin) and vermilion, and there are also theories that he worked with technical aids like curved mirrors and the camera obscura, in order to explain his almost photorealistic attention to details.
But all these facts don’t really matter when you stand in front of one of his paintings.
In my mind what matters most is the essence and soul that he managed to entrap within them. You can not help feeling something when you look at them. And this can not be explained but only admired.
So when I set out to paint my version of his “Girl with a Pearl Earring” (1665), I didn´t aim for producing a perfect likeness of said painting – which I would not have achieved anyway – but rather for capturing a feeling.
I wanted to paint my interpretation of this girl.
So here it is, my “In the Mood for Vermeer… Girl with a Pearl Earring”.
And for those of you who are interested in these kind of things, I include in this post the sequence of posts I published 2015 on my blog that also illustrate the process this painting of mine went through – you´ll be surprised to see what transformations can occur. 😉
This is what I posted on Aug 18, 2015:
In the Mood for… Vermeer – Girl with a Pearl Earring – Part I
I started a new painting last weekend and thought that it might be interesting for you to see the whole process bit by bit instead of just being presented with the result… 🙂
As you can see from the title – and probably already from the painting as well – it´s heavily influenced by one of my favourite paintings – “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” by the famous dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.
So, here it is: my first draft:
This is what I posted on Aug 24, 2015:
In the Mood for… Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring – Part II
I found some time over the last weekend to work further on my Vermeer-like painting!
I “closed” the area around the eyes a bit (now it doesn´t look like she´s wearing too much eye liner anymore:) ) and started giving the skin a little bit more texture. I´m still not happy with the nose and the lips of course, but they´ll have to wait until next time!
This is what I posted on Aug 31, 2015:
In the Mood for… Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring – Part III
Another week has passed and I worked more on my latest painting. As you can see, I concentrated my focus mainly on the nose: now she actually has some nostrils, but all in all, the nose is still too long for my taste:( But I didn´t paint it over at once, ´cause I think it might be interesting for you to see, how it grows (the picture, not the nose – although the latter definitely did that, too!). So, I stand by my “mistakes”, of which I can only learn and hope to get it right next time:)
I also worked a bit on my girl´s mouth: I added some teeth and started with putting some reflections on the lips.
This is what I posted on Sept 8, 2015:
In the Mood for … Vermeer – Girl with a Pearl Earring – Part IV
I did it! Finally I´ve managed to shorten the nose from “my” girl 🙂
Better now, don´t you think?
And this is what I posted on Sept 16, 2015:
In the Mood for … Vermeer – Girl with a Pearl Earring – Final Act!
And here it is – the final act of my latest painting! As you can see, I added some final brushstrokes for the lips, the ear and the headscarf, and also added the earring at last!
Thank you for letting us into your inner world of art creation, Sarah! I’ve always been fascinated by how painters see the world and translate it into what we can see.
I love Vermeer and the Dutch masters. There is just something very haunting about the light they capture. I’ve always loved the colours in Girl with a Pearl Earring – the luminosity of the pearl, the colours of her headscarf, those are what I am drawn by. In your rendition, the first thing I notice are her eyes: the depth of the grey, now reflected in the earrings. It really is like looking into her soul!
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Aww – thank you so much for your wonderful words, Ju-Lyn!
Like you I was always drawn to Vermeer´s paintings because of his colors – the yellows and blues are without comparison! When I think of Rembrandt, I think more or of warm, earthy colors, of light and shadow, a beautiful red here and there. But with Vermeer it is the Blue and Yellow that always draws my eyes in.
And thank you so much for noticing the depth of the eyes of my Girl – like with real people, they seem to be the most important part of any painting containing humans or animals, and I always try to make the look as real as possible.
Wish you a beautiful and creative weekend, dear friend! ❤
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The joy is mine to see Art & the World through your eyes.
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😚💕
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The earring is now in place and… drum roll please… it looks fantastic ❤ ❤
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Ooh! I love drum rolls! 😀 Thanks so much, Christy! Now you´ve made my day twice in one day!! xoxo ❤
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Wonderful post, Sarah, and I love seeing your progress in the painting. The eyes and the face in its entirety look so authentic, and even though I’m not a painter, I know how difficult faces are to draw or paint. You are so talented! ❤🌻🎨
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Thank you very much, Lauren! Yes, faces are incredibly challenging, especially the eyes but I love doing it. So glad you enjoyed watching the process – most people only zoom in to the result. 😉 Have a wonderful day! 😄😚💕🌺
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I’m always in awe of those who can draw or paint, so the process (to me) is just as important as the final outcome. 🙂 Hugs!
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Sending you hugs, love and sunshine, Lauren! Have a wonderful day! 😊😚💖
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Although I am a complete amateur when it comes to art, I love this post (both your writing and your painting). You have the rare ability to make a subject interesting to those like me who know little about it except that I know what I like! 🙂
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Thank you very much! When it comes to art, to know what you like is what matters most, I think. It’s the only approach that should count (rather than being interested in the price label sticking behind a painting 😉).
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WoW Sarah, that’s fab. I love the way you have included the process of painting. I love all your art! 🙂
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Aww – thank you so much, Gill! That means a lot to me! You’ve totally made my day! Have a fantastic weekend! Love! xxx 😄
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Wonderful rendition of Vemeer’s painting, Sarah! 🙂 I love the original too and thoroughly enjoyed the novel of the same title. Thanks for sharing your process and the art history too. xo
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Thank you so much, Bette! I’m glad you enjoyed my painting, its process and that little bit of art history I couldn’t help sharing. 😁 Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo 💕
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Thanks, Sarah. You have a wonderful weekend too! ❤ xo
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Beautiful painting and what fun to recreate it. I loved watching your steps and seeing it emerge. My grandmother was a painter (and Dutch). Her basement was full of works in progress and this post brought me right back there. A fun post, Sarah. Thanks for resharing it. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Diana! I would have loved to see your grandmother’s basement! And I’m glad my post reminded you of it and the time you spent with her. Have a beautiful weekend! 💕
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What a difference–and watching your changes is amazing. I very much liked your first rendition but the final–good grief. I can see why it’s so much better.
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Thanks very much, Jacqui! Sometimes it’s hard to decide to go on with a painting when you like the first draft as I did with this one, too. Which is why I take these photos to at least keep something from the beginning and remind myself of the process.
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You did a great job with this painting! The original is very arresting, and I can see why you are so interested in it. I read the book and loved it as well…such a good description of the time and of the artistic process, especially for those of us who can’t paint. I am always fascinated by creativity in all of its forms. And I agree with the comment above: you are a very talented artist!!!
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Thanks so much, Ann! I remember how fascinated I was reading that book – the author invoked the time perfectly! Having studied art history back then and specialized a bit in Dutch paintings of the Golden Age, it was wonderful to read something more personal than just scientif reviews. 😉
And here’s to creativity in all its wonderful forms! 😄
Have a beautiful weekend my friend!
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Great artwork, Sarah. Such a fine potrait and in the footsteps of Vermeer… you have an amazing talent! Thanks for sharing this post as I find it very interesting and appreciate it. ⚘ ❤ Have a lovely week. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Iris! That means a lot to me! Wish you a beautiful rest of the week and a wonderful weekend to top it of with! 😄 Much love! 😚💕🐨🌺
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Much love, Sarah! 😃😃
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This is one of my favorite paintings and your work is amazing Sarah! I loved both the book and the film.
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Thanks so much, Kerry! 😄 It’s one of my favourites as well – obviously 😉) – and the book and film were both wonderful and illuminating. ❤
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Sarah, Wow!! I love your painting and am instantly drawn to it. You have achieved such a haunting look in her eyes my heart feels as if it stops! The bright vibrant colour of her lips contrasts to her pale skin and sense of her diminished self. It is so interesting to see you through the process of the painting…thank you for taking us on your journey. I know nothing of how artists work so this has been fascinating to learn. I love the addition of the earring at the end, almost translucent and seeming to find the blue from other colours around her. Well done! BTW, like Barbara, I first thought of the book I read by the same name by Tracy Chevalier – another one of my favourite writers.
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Thank you sooo much for your wonderful comment, Annika! 😄 I remember working on this painting as if it were yesterday – I kept being surprised what colours I had to mix in order to create the skin tone – let’s just say it wasn’t merely toning down red with a bit of white but it involved so many others as well, like blue, green and yellow!
It’s so lovely to know that you feel drawn to my painting – there’s no better compliment for an artist! 😊
And somehow I knew you loved the book as well. 😄 Hugs! xxx
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Ah, you nailed it, Sarah! You captured the mood and the feeling. I remember well that this was your blog post photo!
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Thanks so much, Jennie! So lovely to know you remember it from my blog post photo! Have a wonderful day dear friend! 😄❤
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You’re most welcome, Sarah. ❤️
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The finished painting shows how much you have worked to convert it into a good looking face. It is beautiful Sarah…such a perfect eye expression! You are so talented! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Balroop! It´s been quite a process but I enjoyed every step of it. 😀
Have a wonderful week, my friend! ❤
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That is so cool to see how you progress on working on a piece of painting. I think she looks really good.
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Thanks so much! 😀
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Your painting is beautiful, Sarah! Such a lovely post on this Monday. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jill! Have a wonderful week! 😀 ❤
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Very pretty, I beleive Scarlett Johansson the actress starred in a film based on the Vermeer painting
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Thank you very much! And yes, she did star in a film of the same name as the painting and she really did a fantastic job! Bonne nuit, mon ami! 😊
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Have a nice day my friend 🙂
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You too! 😀
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Thank you Sarah for this interesting and sensitive post.
All facts you give are fascinating and it is great to remind myself of the other artists at the time.
The important think here is how you describe viewing this painting by feeling it. I do this all the time. The facts, their life history are of great interest but just then, you and the painting. What does it say? What does it make you feel.
That is how all art should be experienced. You remind us and show also your emotions in your lovely painting.
Miriam
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You´re very welcome, Miriam! And thank you so much for your wonderful comment!
I totally agree – art is all about feelings and emotions. It´s a shame really, that so many view it only from its pecuniary point, as objects to collect. The worst collectors are those who don´t share their possessions with the world to see but hold tight to it and hide it somewhere only they can see it.
Wish you a wonderful and creative week! hugs!
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I share your feelings about Vermeer, one of my favorite artists also. The intimacy of his art makes you feel as if you’re in the room with him. You’re so lucky to be able to see a few of his paintings in person.
Decades ago I took a course on painting in the style of Vermeer. I copied several paintings and also reinterpreted several in his style. It was a fascinating immersion into a completely different way of seeing and delineating shape and color and especially light.
Your painting of Girl with a Pearl Earring is lovely. Was much fun to watch the way you approached the challenges of painting it.
Did you know that Tracy Chevalier, who writes novels about great artists, wrote a book called The Girl with the Pearl Earring? It’s fiction of course, told from the point of view of the girl herself. It’s an improbable tale but an interesting read.
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Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Sharon! Yes, we´re really luck here in Berlin to have some of his paintings – and even more lucky when it comes to Rembrandt! We´ve got the second or third largest collections of his work here, I forgot which one, but it´s amazing anyway. 🙂
How wonderful that you look courses on painting in Vermeer´s style! I can well imagine it helping you to achieve a more pronounced feeling for his work.
I know the book by Tracey Chevalier – and also the film based on it – and loved them both! Should have mentioned it on my post, really. 😀
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shorter nose aside …I Like your sprit of play and experimentation all the better…
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Thank you very much, Anthony! ☺
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You’re so talented, the painting is beyond wonderful! I also appreciate how you aimed to capture the feeling Sarah, it’s admirable because the essence is everything! And enjoyed the write up about the artist as well. Please do keep sharing articles like these. I’m so grateful because thanks to you, I’ve learnt a little more today:)
Love and hugs😘
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Thank you so much, Divya!
You know, when I look at my painting, I see all the mistakes I´ve done at the time, and which I could probably now erase, but I also see the feeling I wanted to evoke, and for that I know, I have to let it be as it is, because in a way, that´s the only thing that matters.
And I´m so glad you´ve also enjoyed my little write up about Vermeer – there´s so much else I could tell about him, but I knew I had to keep it short. 😉
Sending you love and hugs too! xoxo ❤
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What an interesting process! My wife and I viewed Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring when it was touring in San Francisco a few years ago. Seeing the actual painting was one of those moments I’ll never forget. Very similar to seeing Mt. Fuji for the first time. It’s not just the actual thing, it’s the deep response.
Your notion of “capturing a feeling” is fascinating. I understand what you mean. Even when gazing at reproductions of Vermeer, I’m struck by the emotions that I feel…always good ones!
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed this post.
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Thanks so much for your interesting comment, Paul! It´s wonderful that you and your wife were able to see the original – as you say, there´s something so special to see a work of art in person and not just in reproductions. I´m sure Vermeer would have been so pleased that people all around the world admire his paintings. 🙂
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Vermeer’s paintings, at least the later of them, are amazingly lively. The man had an incredible talent ! To me, here in the Netherlands, he is a neighbour. Many thanks for the evocation, Miss Gentileschi.
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You’re very welcome, Gilles!
Do you have a favourite painting by him?
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“View of Delft” I would say … but all his later work is just exceptionally gorgeous to my eyes. Have a great sweet day, Miss gentileschi.
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Yes, it´s hard to pick a favorite 😉
Have a wonderful day, too, Gilles! 😀
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There was a Vermeer exhibition here in Dublin last summer,I’m not sure it is still on😀
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Probably not. These kind of exhibitions tend to travel around the world. Did you visit it?
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No because you had to book and first there was no slots suiting me and then I kind of forgot as summer came and I went away.A friend of mine went and was delighted with it
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This is great! I am always drawn to this painting, although I have only seen pictures of it. My book club read the book of the same name by Tracy Chevalier years ago. It’s an excellent story and portrays the artist and times very well. Keep on painting!
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Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Barbara!
I know the book and the film based on it both well and like them very much, especially for their accuracy. Glad to know that you share my fascination for this amazing painter and his work. 😊
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