Johannes Vermeer
This post continues the series that explores contemporary artists looking to Old Masters for inspiration, and reinterpreting their artworks in a new way.
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One of the most highly admired Dutch artists, Johannes Vermeer, is recognized as a master of light. He was intensely preoccupied with the behaviour of light and other optical effects such as sudden recessions and changes of focus. To achieve the luminous effect he painstakingly applied layer upon layer of paint, varying its consistency.
To learn about his paint application visit The National Gallery’s article.
To learn about his use of perspective visit Essential Vermeer 3.0.
Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, c. 1660. Oil on canvas. Copyright ©Rijksmuseum.
Contemporary artist Paul Winstanley cites Vermeer as an influence on his work. Winstanley composes his work based on photographs of uninhabited interiors and landscapes, and relates his process to Johannes Vermeer’s interest in the camera obscura.
For example, some figures in his work appear out-of-focus and ephemeral, while other areas are bathed in light. Winstanley’s meticulous painting style and soft light effects remind us of aspects of Vermeer’s work. His piece titled, Looking at a Vermeer directly points out the Dutch artist as an inspiration.
To read more about Paul Winstanley visit his website.
Paul Winstanley, Looking at a Vermeer, 2017.
LA based contemporary artist Joseph Lee created a series of NFTs which depicted animated versions of famous old master works - including, Girl with the Pearl Earring by Vermeer.
“As artists, we can argue that we’re all derivatives of the Old Masters,” as stated by the artist. “The art world evolves and reacts – it’s in constant motion. As a painter, I’m curious about where the fine line between being a derivative and staying authentic to your own pursuits, is. Perhaps one invariably precedes the other. I’ve channelled these thoughts into studying and deconstructing the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Unlike the classic, the earring swings, like a pendulum between old and new or between past and present.”
Joseph Lee, Pearl, 2021.
While Vermeer only created about 35 paintings in his lifetime, his significance in art history and his continual influence is immense. The largest exhibition of Vermeer’s work is on view now at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While the tickets have long been sold out, you can explore his work online at Closer to Johannes Vermeer.
Which contemporary artists do you admire that note Vermeer as an artistic influence?
