Woman with a Lute
by Johannes Vermeer (Dutch, 1632-1675)
Painting
Vermeer was a master of light and the window to the left of the woman is used in many of his paintings, casting a soft glow on his subjects that he would return to again and again. The heroes of Vermeer's paintings were often members of middle and working-class Dutch society. In this one, a woman tunes a lute and gazes happily out the window. The instrument and sheet music on the floor suggest that she might be waiting for friends to join in a musical session. Though Vermeer met with only moderate success during his lifetime, he has posthumously become recognized as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age; his legacy living on through his genius for light and color.
Page created on 9/24/2014 4:02:23 PM
Last edited 9/24/2014 4:02:23 PM