Art Lovers discussion

I'm not really sure in which folder to put this, but it is a brief, 6 minute video of "A new research project at the Mauritshuis in The Hague hopes to unlock some of the mysteries that surround Vermeer’s masterpiece. Watch the video to find out more." ...

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/2018...

Very interesting, Heather. Thanks for posting this. I hope they'll publicize what they find out. I'm a sucker for paintings with a great sense of light, so Vermeer has long been a favorite of mine.

Ruth wrote: "Very interesting, Heather. Thanks for posting this. I hope they'll publicize what they find out. I'm a sucker for paintings with a great sense of light, so Vermeer has long been a favorite of mine."

You're welcome, Ruth! He is also one of my favorites.

Three cheers for Vermeer. Scarlett J. did a bang up job as the lass with the earring. She played it just right.

One question he said in the end that we will never answer no matter how much technology we have, is “what was she about to say”?

Would anyone like to throw out some suggestions on what you think a young girl would be turning to say as she is being painted? Or maybe not as the subject of the painting but what would maybe a younger girl turn to you and say in the moment?

Four cheers for Vermeer! And Yes! It's all about the light! Sunlight! Magic stuff!
I don't want her to say anything! I think it is a silly question and it infringes upon my enjoyment of the painting. Anyone, well, anyone of the male variety is going to tell you that slightly open lips are much sexier than a closed mouth. That's the way it is. If it's really important that she say something, how about, "How much longer do I have to sit this way?" - )

Hahaha, great answer, Mark! I was just asking the question they asked in the video. I did not know that men thought that way about parted lips. Hmmm maybe I’ll do some selfies that way.

I’m sorry, immature statement in this sophisticated group. But I was thinking the same question of what she could have been about to say “how much longer? Are you almost done yet?”. I know that’s what I would be thinking! I do wonder how many sittings it took for him to paint her in that position. Neck turned that way probably wouldn’t feel too well after awhile.

Does anyone know how long it took him to complete this fabulous work?

Dear Heather, I did not mean to imply in any way that you had asked a silly question. I was pointing my finger at the BBC and the silly people in Holland. I may not be qualified to speak for men in general, especially about what makes any particular woman attractive; but, I think she's hot! - )

I didn’t take it that way, Mark, no worries!

Heather wrote: "I didn’t take it that way, Mark, no worries!"
Cool! - )

Mark wrote: "Dear Heather, I did not mean to imply in any way that you had asked a silly question. I was pointing my finger at the BBC and the silly people in Holland. I may not be qualified to speak for men in..."

But Scarlett is hotter!!

Haha these are funny, (enlightening for me) comments from you men!

Geoffrey wrote: "Mark wrote: "Dear Heather, I did not mean to imply in any way that you had asked a silly question. I was pointing my finger at the BBC and the silly people in Holland. I may not be qualified to spe..."

But who is Scarlett? - )

I wondered the same thing... Scarlett O’Hara? (Sp?)

My wife explained the Scarlett reference: she understood it right away. It is the first name of the actress who played the role in the movie. Geoffrey: I checked-her-out ms. Scarlett at Imdb. I flipped back-and-forth between her and the painting a few times ... I'm not prepare to concede the point just yet. The woman in the painting looks younger and more innocent, and to my mind that adds to her appeal. I grant you ms. S. is quite ravishing in the picture from the movie. - )

Here's a side-by-side comparison between both versions of Girl with a Pearl Earring. Scarlett Johansson is the one on the left.



Ms. Johansson was only seventeen during production of the film. She also appeared in Lost in Translation in 2003, opposite Bill Murray.

Lance wrote: "Here's a side-by-side comparison between both versions of Girl with a Pearl Earring. Scarlett Johansson is the one on the left.



Ms. Johansson was only seventeen during production of the film. Sh..."
Thank you, Lance. Very cool! I apologize Ms Johansson about her age. To me, Vermeer's model still looks younger. And his lighting is
far more faltering to her face. Wonderful comparison.

Lance! It’s been a minute that we’ve heard from you, welcome back!

Lance wrote: "Here's a side-by-side comparison between both versions of Girl with a Pearl Earring. Scarlett Johansson is the one on the left.



Ms. Johansson was only seventeen during production of the film. Sh..."

Now I see it, on my phone it wouldn't show pictures. I think the portrait is prettier, Geoffrey might think Johansson is 'hot', maybe to a 20th century man, but she looks more like a modern vixen to me. Vermeer's girl looks more innocent. I don't know if that's what makes her look 'younger' but she does look more wholesome, whereas Scarlett looks like she's trying to be a model or something. I, personally, don't like their choice of her for the role to play the Girl with the Pearl Earring. I don't know, I just don't think she looks like a girl in the 17th century or has the youthful look of innocence that Vermeer's girl has.
(I'm sorry, but she also looks like she got Botox done on her lips)

And she may have had the Botox, looks like she got implants, too. She is pretty, but fake.



There you go, Geoffrey!

oh! I'm sorry, I did my homework. Those are her real lips! Wow, lucky girl! But she did have several nose jobs. Ok, enough Heather. I'm just saying I love Vermeer's girl, and the painting, but maybe I'm biased because I've always loved Vermeer and this painting can do no wrong.

SJ has a quiet, understated, slightly seductive sensuality that directors have used in some of the films that she has played in. I am a bit surprised that she has continued to act as I thought she was but a flash in the pan. Perhaps she is a delight for directors to use her considering how many demanding prima donnas there are out there.
some actors are easy to direct, others kill their careers by being demanding and no matter how talented, the directors are sick and tired of them and get blacklisted.

I am totally infatuated with this particular Vermeer painting! - )
Not only her beautiful bright face, but also the magnificent tail of her head dress.

I come close to being infatuated. I wouldn´t go so far as to say that. I have no fantasies about the woman, but the painting is incredible.

Yes! with the painting. - )

Geoffrey wrote: "SJ has a quiet, understated, slightly seductive sensuality that directors have used in some of the films that she has played in. I am a bit surprised that she has continued to act as I thought she ..."

I haven't seen any movies that SJ has been in, 'slightly' seductive? Yes, she looks seductive. But since you thought she was only "but a flash in the pan", do you mean she isn't the greatest at acting? But it's more her looks and demeanor that give her the roles?

Yes, the painting is fantastic! I absolutely love the lighting, especially accentuating the fabric of her clothing. It kind of indicates the type of fabric, as in silk or satin. The light on the one side of her face with the whole rest of that side of her in shadow, except for the tail of her head wrap. It is all in the light but there is shadowing in the wrinkles or folds. It's almost tactile.

Mark wrote: "Anyone, well, anyone of the male variety is going to tell you that slightly open lips are much sexier than a closed mouth...."

Yes! The the mysterious reason behind beauty queen contestents always keeping their lips slightly apart.

As for the movie, I think Scarlett Johansson did really well however I don't think she was the best choice because the shape of her face is very different from the girl in Vermeer's painting. Also the eyes, they don't match at all. The essence in the painting according to what I feel is in her eyes and the lips (as Mark has pointed out.)

Innocent eyes, seductive lips.

I didn't realize it was a bit on the small side: just adds to it's fantasticness! Also, the light on her face seems almost to bright for natural light. - )

Heather wrote: "And she may have had the Botox, looks like she got implants, too."

Having seen her in Under the Skin, I can attest that she doesn't have implants. What you're seeing is the magic of the bustier.

Heather wrote: "But since you thought she was only "but a flash in the pan", do you mean she isn't the greatest at acting? But it's more her looks and demeanor that give her the roles?"

She was nominated for both the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for both Girl with a Pearl Earring and Lost in Translation, and won the BAFTA for the latter film. She's been periodically nominated for awards since. She hasn't always made the best choices in projects. Now she's deeply enmeshed in the Marvel Universe movies and has been in a few other action films that don't ask much of her (I'm sure the pay is great). However, she was also in two of Woody Allen's best recent films, Vicky Christina Barcelona and Match Point and did well in them.

Blondes don't do much for me, but I do rather enjoy her voice.

I find the word bustier a lot more attractive than implants. - )

Lance wrote: "Heather wrote: "And she may have had the Botox, looks like she got implants, too."

Having seen her in Under the Skin, I can attest that she doesn't have implants. What you're seeing is the magic o..."

Well, I did read more. She did actually (in Mark's words) become 'bustier' cosmologically from a B cup to a DD but then had the silicone removed in recent years. I don't have that page up and can't find where I read it, but yes, she did have them at one point. And you could be right, they are aided in fullness by the bustier.

Found it: https://www.betrendsetter.com/scarlet...

My fantasies have been de-fused. Her imbd picture for the movie was very pleasing. - )

Heather wrote: "Geoffrey wrote: "SJ has a quiet, understated, slightly seductive sensuality that directors have used in some of the films that she has played in. I am a bit surprised that she has continued to act ..."

I think she is a good actress, but limited in range. She is best typecast and in her superhero roles. I believe her to be perfect in "The Girl with an Earring" and the only other actress that comes immediately to mind for that role would be Christina Ricci, fifteen years ago. Or possibly Amy Weitz. As for comparing her demeanor with the Vermeer painting-that is a false comparison as the novel on which the movie was based, digressed from the personality as depicted by V.

Geoffrey wrote: "Heather wrote: "Geoffrey wrote: "SJ has a quiet, understated, slightly seductive sensuality that directors have used in some of the films that she has played in. I am a bit surprised that she has c..."

It's interesting to read what you think of her acting, movies she is in, and comparing it to the painting. I like to know that info. I don't watch movies or tv...ever. I am not familiar with any current celebrities or even movies.

I've never seen the movie about the painting which we are discussing, so I don't have much info to divulge of my opinion because I don't think I've ever seen her act. In fact, I didn't even know who she was when it was disclosed what 'Scarlett' you're talking about. Now I know one celebrity!

But my interest in the movie is piqued, I really want to see it now!

Heather wrote: "Yes, the painting is fantastic! I absolutely love the lighting, especially accentuating the fabric of her clothing. It kind of indicates the type of fabric, as in silk or satin. The light on the on..."

Vermeer's "Girl's Head" has the same composition. Not sure which one was done first but this subject seemed to have interested him a lot or/and it was his forte.



Girl's head, 1665-1667
Johannes Vermeer ( Dutch 1632 -1675 )
Oil on canvas
44.5 × 40 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Amalie wrote: "Vermeer's "Girl's Head" has the same composition. Not sure which one was done first but this subject seemed to have interested him a lot or/and it was his forte. "

Thank you for posting that Amalie! It is interesting to see both paintings.