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Book SynopsisPUBLISHED TO ACCOMPANY THE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXHIBITION AT THE RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM, THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR STUDY ON VERMEER'S LIFE AND WORK FOR MANY YEARS. ---------- 'Proust was once so excited to see a Vermeer show that he collapsed â I got chest pains merely leafing through the catalogue' Jonathan Jones, Guardian 'Invest in the fat catalogue, stuffed with scholarly discoveries and photographic closeups, and you will learn about everything from Vermeerâs optical mastery to his moral symbolism' Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times 'Excellent' Artists & Illustrators 'Getting a ticket for the once-in-a-lifetime Vermeer exhibition, above, at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam this year might frankly be a bit of a challenge, but you can at least console yourself with the exhibition catalogue, published by Thames & Hudson, which is a gorgeous thing. Nothing matches seeing a painting in the flesh, but this comes mightily close.' The Herald ---------- Vermeer's intensely quiet and enig
Trade Review'Proust was once so excited to see a Vermeer show that he collapsed … I got chest pains merely leafing through the catalogue' - Jonathan Jones, Guardian
'Invest in the fat catalogue, stuffed with scholarly discoveries and photographic closeups, and you will learn about everything from Vermeer’s optical mastery to his moral symbolism' - Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times
'Excellent' - Artists & Illustrators
'A gorgeous thing. Nothing matches seeing a painting in the flesh, but this comes mightily close' - Herald Scotland
'Immerses the reader in the immensely rich pictorial world of the master painter from Delft .. extraordinary close-up detail' - Art Mag
'A book to treasure' - The Prisma
'Comprehensive... Vermeer scholars...give insight into his life and influences while analyzing the paintings and their compositions in great detail... A feast for the yes as well as the mind... Worthy of any art history collection' - Library Journal
Table of ContentsForeword by Taco Dibbits, general director, Rijksmuseum
Section I: Essays 1. Vermeer - Biography An introduction to Vermeer's life and work
2. Vermeer - His House Although little is known about Vermeer as a personality, an investigation into his direct environment reveals much more. Paying a visit to Oude Langendijk in Delft, this essay examines Vermeer's family members, household life and personal possessions.
3. Vermeer's Invented World Vermeer's paintings are almost exclusively interiors, imbued with a momentary stillness in time which nevertheless has been carefully constructed and orchestrated to direct the observer's gaze. This creation of intimacy is the key theme of the exhibition.
Section II: The Paintings Includes every painting by Vermeer, grouped in 13 thematic sections, each written by a curatorial authority. Each theme includes 2–4 works:
Delft – Coming Home Paintings: View of the Delft, The Little Street
Inside – Still-life Figures, Safe World Paintings: A Maid Asleep, Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, The Milkmaid
Very Close – Introvert Paintings: Woman in Blue Reading a Letter, The Lacemaker
Secluded Paintings: The Music Lesson, The Concert, The Love Letter
Windows – The Outside World Inside Paintings: Officer and Laughing Girl, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, Woman with a Lute, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher
Letters – The World Outside Inside Paintings: Mistress and Maid, A Lady Writing
Fashionable Intruders Paintings: The Glass of Wine, The Girl with a Wine Glass, Girl Interrupted in her Music
Attraction/Across the Border Paintings: Girl with a Red Hat, Girl with Flute, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Study of a Young Woman
Playing Music for.../Waiting for the (music-)partner Paintings: A Lady Standing at a Virginal, A Lady Seated at a Virginal, The Guitar Player, A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals
The Whole World Inside Paintings: The Geographer, The Astronomer
World of thoughts/Inner Reflections of Vanity and Faith Paintings: Woman with a Pearl Necklace, Woman Holding a Balance, Allegory of Catholic Faith
Early Ambitions/Try Outs Paintings: Saint Praxedis, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, Diana and her Companions, The Procuress
Late Ambition/Legate, Testimony Paintings: The Art of Painting
