Johannes Vermeer

by Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., Ben Broos

In this strikingly beautiful book, leading Vermeer scholars examine the life and works of this seventeenth-century Dutch master, analyzing his evolution from a painter of religious and mythological images to an artist who explored the psychological nuances of human endeavor.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr. is the curator of the Northern European Art Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. and professor of art history at the University of Maryland. He has lectured widely and written extensively on Dutch and Flemish art.

Reviews

[Andrea Samorini]

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FROM BOOK: Caravaggio e Vermeer. L'ombra e la luce (Claudio Strinati)

[Marc Buelens · Rating 5 out of 5]

simply the best

[K Marcu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Paintings are essentially a means of communication. Through them artists strive to relate stories, ideas, moods, and credos. But because paintings...outlive the generation and century in which they were created.... They become visual statements of the attitudes, moods, and ideas of a different age.... The moods and meanings they transmit communicate directly to men with different needs and expectations.”

Wheelock put together a very thoughtful & informative book on Vermeer, especially given the little we know about the artist. Nearly all of his paintings aren’t even dated, but the book is a must for Vermeer lovers.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book on Vermeer, issued for the first solo exhibition of his work in 1995-96. There are knowledgeable essays about his use of color, perspective, and what we know of his life. The showcase is a thorough examination of each of the 23 paintings that were in that exhibition, with discussion of his methods, organization of elements, and a full description of the ownership history to the extent we know it.

There's some discussion and a lot of speculation about what were his influences, and this book includes some thumbnail images of other paintings that may have inspired some of his more famous paintings. The book also puts him in his context as a Dutch artist in mid-17th century Holland, telling us what other Dutch artists were doing.

I'm no art historian, not even a big fan of the old masters, but I have a thing for Vermeer. I've seen probably half of his work in person, in Washington DC, New York, and Paris. As with many artists (also thinking of Van Gogh), replications don't do justice to the real thing. Being able to examine the work up close, moving back and forth, seeing the scale – there's nothing like it. I'm convinced Vermeer was applying Impressionist techniques 200 years early.

If you're in Washington DC go to the National Gallery and see their Vermeers. In New York, visit the Frick or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Treat yourself to one of the most accomplished and subtle painters in history.

[Bert Huisman]

10

[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

While during his lifetime Vermeer made a modest living with his artistry, at the time of his death, he was heavily in debt and sadly under appreciated. It wasn't until the late 19th century that his works were enthusiastically embraced and acclaimed for the exquisite beauty they represent.

This beautiful coffee table book highlights each of Vermeer's paintings, with an in depth study not only of the work, but in addition, the small tidbits known of Vermeer at the time of his masterpiece.

This fascinating book is a joy to behold and I spent hours observing the subtle nuances.

There are only 35 known paintings, one of which (The Concert) was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in March 2007. This work is priceless and may be forever gone.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exhibition book for the display in Washington, DC, ending February, 1996.