Johannes Vermeer, The Art of Painting

Summary

In the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Steven and Beth discuss Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting,' a complex work depicting an artist and his muse, Clio. They explore the painting's focus on light, the artist's use of a possible camera obscura, and the detailed attention to the model's and artist's attire. The painting's history is as intriguing as its imagery, with a rediscovery in the 19th century, a signature alteration, and a tumultuous past involving Adolf Hitler's collection. The discussion highlights the painting's significance in art history and its embodiment of the artist's role in shaping history.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Johannes Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' is a complex and detailed artwork depicting a painter at work on a portrait of a woman who represents the Muse of History, Clio.
• 🖌️ The painting within the painting suggests the transformative power of art, as the model is being painted as an allegorical figure, akin to the Statue of Liberty.
• 👀 The viewer is given a 'privileged view' into the artist's studio, with a curtain drawn back to reveal a scene typically hidden from sight.
• 🌟 The focus and clarity of the painting shift towards the model, suggesting a depth of field and possibly the use of a camera obscura by Vermeer.
• 💡 Light is a central theme in Vermeer's work, with the source of light remaining hidden, yet its effects are visible throughout the painting, highlighting various objects and surfaces.
• 👕 The artist and his model are dressed in elaborate attire, which was unusual for a studio setting, indicating the significance of the painting to Vermeer.
• 🏛️ The painting's size and the fact that it remained in Vermeer's possession until his death highlight its importance to the artist.
• 🔍 The painting's history is complex, with Vermeer's reputation fading and later being rediscovered in the 19th century, initially misattributed to a more famous artist.
• 🚫 The painting was nearly sold due to export restrictions but was eventually purchased by Adolf Hitler, who had aspirations to be an artist and collected art for his envisioned museum.
• ♟️ 'The Art of Painting' has a 'complex and disturbing history' itself, which contrasts with its subject matter of the role of art and the artist in creating history.

Q & A

In which museum is Johannes Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' located?

Johannes Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' is located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Who is the model depicted in Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' and what does she represent?

The model depicted in 'The Art of Painting' is Clio, who is the Muse of History. She is identified by the trumpet, book, and laurel leaves on her head.

What is the significance of the curtain in the painting 'The Art of Painting'?

The curtain in the painting 'The Art of Painting' represents a privileged view into the artist's studio, suggesting a scene that is not usually visible to the public.

How does the focus shift within the painting 'The Art of Painting'?

The focus in 'The Art of Painting' shifts from the out-of-focus curtain to the model, where the clarity of focus increases, suggesting a depth of field effect.

What technique might Vermeer have used to achieve the transformation of three-dimensional objects onto a two-dimensional plane in 'The Art of Painting'?

Vermeer might have used a camera obscura, an early camera without film, to help with the transformation of three-dimensional objects onto the two-dimensional plane.

How does light play a role in Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting'?

Light in 'The Art of Painting' is central to the image, filtering onto various elements within the scene and creating highlights and shadows, with the source of light remaining hidden behind the curtain.

What is unique about the artist's attire in 'The Art of Painting'?

The artist in 'The Art of Painting' is dressed more formally than typically seen in a studio setting, wearing a black vest with slits and a nice hat, which suggests the importance of the image to Vermeer.

Why was 'The Art of Painting' still in Vermeer's possession at the time of his death?

The painting 'The Art of Painting' was still in Vermeer's possession at his death because it was an important piece to him, and his wife attempted to save it from his creditors.

How is Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' related to Velazquez's 'Las Meninas'?

Both 'The Art of Painting' by Vermeer and 'Las Meninas' by Velazquez depict the artist in a self-portrait, dressed formally, which places the artist within society and dignifies the profession.

What happened to Vermeer's reputation in the 18th Century?

Vermeer's reputation dissipated in the 18th Century, and he was largely forgotten until the painting reemerged in the early 19th Century with a signature added by a more well-known artist.

Who eventually bought 'The Art of Painting' and what was its journey during World War II?

Adolf Hitler bought 'The Art of Painting' and it was delivered to his private residence in Munich. During World War II, it was packed away for safekeeping and was later recovered by the Allied Forces and returned to the museum in Vienna.

What is the irony in the history of 'The Art of Painting' given its subject matter?

The irony lies in the fact that 'The Art of Painting', a painting about the role of art and history, and the artist's role in making history, has a complex and disturbing history itself, including being owned by Hitler who had a vision for a museum of European art masterpieces.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 'The Art of Painting' by Vermeer

Steven and Beth discuss Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' in Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum. The painting depicts a painter with his model, Clio, the Muse of History, who is transformed through the power of art. The painting's focus on light and the use of a camera obscura are highlighted, along with the artist's elaborate attire. The painting's history, including its significance to Vermeer and its journey through various owners, including Adolf Hitler, is also explored.

Keywords

💡Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter known for his meticulous and luminous works, often depicting scenes of domestic life. In the video, Vermeer's painting 'The Art of Painting' is the central focus, illustrating his mastery of light and composition. The painting itself is a representation of the artist's studio and the act of painting, emphasizing Vermeer's own role in the creation of art.

💡The Art of Painting

This is the title of the painting by Vermeer discussed in the video. It is a complex work that not only depicts a scene of a painter at work but also symbolizes the transformation of reality into art. The painting within the painting suggests the idea of art creating its own reality, as the model is in the process of becoming the Muse of History.

💡Clio

Clio is the Muse of History in Greek mythology, often depicted with a trumpet and a scroll, symbolizing the proclamation of historical events. In Vermeer's painting, the model represents Clio, indicating the allegorical nature of the work and the theme of history being recorded and immortalized through art.

💡Allegory

An allegory is a figure of speech where abstract ideas or concepts are represented as characters or actions in a narrative. In the context of the video, Clio as the Muse of History is an allegorical figure, representing the broader concept of history and the role of the artist in documenting it.

💡Camera Obscura

A camera obscura is an optical device used in the 17th century to project and trace images, which was a precursor to the modern camera. The video suggests that Vermeer might have used a camera obscura to achieve the precise focus and depth of field seen in 'The Art of Painting,' particularly in the way the light and details are rendered.

💡Depth of Field

Depth of field refers to the range of distance within a photograph or painting that appears acceptably sharp and in focus. The video discusses how Vermeer's painting has a depth of field effect, drawing the viewer's attention to the model and suggesting a three-dimensional quality to the two-dimensional artwork.

💡Light

Light is a central theme in Vermeer's work, as it is in 'The Art of Painting.' The video describes how light filters through the scene, illuminating various objects and creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Light is used not only for visual effect but also to symbolize the revelation and the transformative power of art.

💡Artist's Studio

The artist's studio is the setting of Vermeer's painting and a recurring theme in his work. In the video, the studio is depicted as a place of creation and transformation, where the artist works to bring his vision to life. The painting within the painting suggests the私密 and often hidden nature of the creative process.

💡Las Meninas

Las Meninas is a famous painting by Diego Velázquez, mentioned in the video as a comparison to Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting.' Both paintings feature the artist within the scene, dressed formally, and engage with themes of representation and the role of the artist in society.

💡Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler, the infamous dictator, is mentioned in the video as a historical figure who owned 'The Art of Painting.' His interest in art and the fact that he amassed a collection, including this Vermeer, adds a complex and disturbing layer to the painting's history, as it was once part of a collection intended for a museum of European masterpieces.

💡Allied Forces

The Allied Forces are mentioned in the context of World War II, as they recovered 'The Art of Painting' and returned it to the museum in Vienna after the war. This historical event highlights the painting's journey and the efforts to preserve cultural heritage amidst conflict.

Highlights

Johannes Vermeer's 'The Art of Painting' is a complex work depicting a painter painting a model who will become the Muse of History, Clio.

Clio is identified by her trumpet, book, and laurel leaves, representing an allegorical figure similar to the Statue of Liberty.

The painting's power to transform is central to its imagery, suggesting a privileged view into the artist's studio.

The optical quality of the curtain, slightly out of focus, adds depth to the painting, possibly hinting at the use of a camera obscura.

The painting's focus clarifies on the model, suggesting a depth of field effect and Vermeer's mastery of light.

Light is a central subject in Vermeer's work, filtering through the scene to highlight various objects and the artist's feet.

The artist's attire, including a black vest and fancy hat, contrasts with traditional studio dress, indicating the painting's importance.

The painting's size and the artist's formal attire suggest its significance to Vermeer, who kept it until his death.

The painting's history is complex, with Vermeer's reputation fading and later being rediscovered in the 19th century.

The painting was nearly sold due to export restrictions but was saved and recognized as a Vermeer by a scholar.

In the early 20th century, the painting's value skyrocketed, but its sale was stopped due to export laws.

Adolf Hitler, an art enthusiast, acquired the painting for his personal collection, intending to display it in a museum of European art.

The painting was recovered by the Allied Forces at the end of World War II and returned to the museum in Vienna.

The painting's complex and disturbing history contrasts with its subject matter of art, history, and the artist's role in shaping it.

Transcripts

(lively music)

Steven: We're in the Kunsthistorisches Museum

in Vienna, and we're looking at Johannes Vermeer's

The Art of Painting, which is a painting

of a painter painting a painting.

Beth: It is, indeed.

He's painting a model, who is going to transform

into the Muse of History, so she is Clio.

We can identify her by what she holds: the trumpet and

the book, and also the laurel leaves on her head.

She's an allegorical figure.

We might think about the Statue of Liberty, for example.

Steven: That idea of a painting's power

to transform is actually cental to this image.

Beth: Doesn't it feel as though we have

a privileged view into the studio?

Look at the curtain that's been drawn back,

that takes up the top quarter of the painting.

We're looking at a scene that

we don't normally get to see.

Steven: If you look at that curtain that's been

drawn back, there's a kind of interesting optical quality.

It's a little bit out of focus.

It shimmers and shines, but the points

of light are a little too big.

It's as if the entire painting doesn't resolve

until you get to what the artist himself

is looking at: that is, his model.

That's where we start to see a clarified focus.

It's almost as if the painting has a depth of field,

so much so that some art historians have suggested

that perhaps he was using a camera obscura.

That is, a kind of simple, early camera without film,

to begin to process the transformation of the

three dimensional onto the two dimensional plain.

Beth: The subject always, with Vermeer, is light.

We don't see the source of the light,

which is behind that curtain, but the light filters onto

the chandelier above, onto the Muse of History,

onto the objects on the table, across the floor,

on the artist's stockinged feet, on the tiles,

catching the brass tacks on that

upholstered chair on the right.

I mean, we can follow its pathway.

Steven: I especially love the way the light catches

the ridging on the map itself and creates

these highlights and shadows.

Beth: And look at the artist.

He's dressed up, too.

He's dressed up the model, but he's wearing something

fancier than the artist would traditionally wear

in the studio, this black vest that has these openings

and slits in it, and this really nice hat.

Steven: And the bright orange leggings.

Beth: This is an image that was obviously important

to Vermeer: it's larger than most of his work;

the artist in it is dressed up.

It was still in his possession at the time of his death.

His wife actually tried to save it from his creditors

who were after his estate, which was heavily in debt.

This is an important painting.

Steven: It reminds me actually of

the painting Las Meninas by Velazquez,

where the artist paints a self portrait.

In that case, we can see his face, but he's dressed

in a very formal manner, in a way that is meant

to place the artist within society,

Beth: Exactly.

and dignify the profession.

Vermeer paints in such a careful and defined way

that we might actually look in, past the frame

of the canvas, and think to ourselves that

we're actually looking into this room.

The fact that Vermeer has depicted an artist painting

reminds us that this is simply a construction,

that this is an artificial image.

Beth: Ironically, this painting has a very ...

Steven: Complex.

Beth: Complex and disturbing history, in some way.

Steven: Vermeer's modest reputation

really dissipated in the 18th Century.

He was forgotten.

But the painting reemerges in the early 19th Century,

and somebody added the signature

of an artist who was better known.

Beth: Luckily, though, a Vermeer scholar, later in

the 19th Century, recognized it as a real Vermeer.

Ever since then, Vermeer's

reputation has only increased.

Steven: By the time we get to the early 20th Century,

this painting is wildly valuable,

but the owner tries to sell it.

The American financier, Mellon, tries to buy it,

and because of export restrictions, laws that

did not allow for important historical or artistic works

to be let out of the country, that sale was stopped.

Beth: The person who does end up

buying it is Adolf Hitler.

Steven: Hitler loved art.

He wanted to be an artist early in his life.

Beth: He amassed an enormous collection of art.

Their idea was to make a museum of

all the great masterpieces of European art.

Steven: The painting was delivered to Hitler,

at his private residence in Munich, and it stayed there

until it was packed away for safekeeping during the war.

Beth: At the end of the war, the painting

was recovered by the Allied Forces

and returned to the museum in Vienna.

It's interesting to me that a painting

that is about the role of art and history,

and the role of the artist in making history

has such a complex and disturbing history itself.

(lively music)