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Johannes Vermeer | 
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| Authors: Arthur K. Wheelock, Ben Broos
Publisher: Yale University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $65.00
Buy Used: $11.37
You Save: $53.63 (83%)
New (6) Used (23) from $11.37
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 404487
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 232
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.1
Dimensions (in): 12.5 x 9.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 0300065582
Dewey Decimal Number: 759.9492
EAN: 9789040097942
ASIN: 0300065582
Publication Date: October 25, 1995
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Book Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
Perfection on a canvas and in a book to take home June 2, 2008
Judy K. Polhemus (Shreveport, LA)
40 out of 74 found this review helpful
The year was 1995. The place was the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The occasion was the exhibit of 21 of the known three dozen paintings by Johannes Vermeer, Dutch master of the seventeenth century.
I missed the exhibit, too, but I have this 12 x 9 1/2 inch hard cover copy of that exhibit, plus all those essays about historical context, art techniques, probable interpretations of the paintings, and, oh yes, the paintings themselves. In one book. By my favorite artist. No, it's not the same, but I do have all these glorious paintings.
What makes Vermeer such a beloved painter? Please look at "The Geographer," which is on the cover of the book. See the light bathe the subject? See the subject's intensity? Those are the two major traits that set Vermeer apart. He used the natural light as it fell into his studio and he began that moment of intensity just at a moment of stillness--a sort of psychological study.
One such painting now made famous by both a novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Deluxe Edition and the movie, Girl With a Pearl Earring is "The Girl with the Pearl Earring." You might think it made a good biographical movie, but then you would be wrong. Why? Because we know almost nothing of Johnannes Vermeer. We don't know about his life except as it pertains to the time period in Delft, Holland, in the mid 1600's and beyond. All we know is what is recorded in contracts like marriage license. We don't know what he thought of art or how he started because he did not leave a word. So the book and the movie are examples of literary license--making up and adding to what little we know with grand imagination. A piece of truth in the film is this: Remember the scene outside Vermeer's house where one woman is sewing in a doorway? That is his house! We know because that scene is taken from one of his paintings!
What we do know is the luminous quality of his art, that moment of tension, and also the allegorical meanings of his earlier paintings. One such example is "Woman Holding A Balance." Interpretations have changed over the years, but the consensus now is that of a favorite Vermeer theme of balance in one's life, no matter the setting.
Holding this book in one's lap, quietly turning the pages and studying the paintings, reading the essays--now that's balance!
 Better than the average but still not the definite book on Vermeer July 10, 2006
F. Ratao (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
3 out of 9 found this review helpful
It is a nice book but the quality of the reproductions is poor.
A 17th century artist who is perfect for our time January 17, 2006
Craig Matteson (Ann Arbor, MI)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
This book accompanied the legendary 1995-96 Vermeer show at the National Gallery in Washington D.C. that found itself caught up in the Gingrich - Clinton shutting-down-the-government imbroglio. Remember now? Vermeer has grown in popularity and in public awareness since this show. Recently, a totally fictitious movie was made around his paintings. It was named after the painting that became the focus of the movie, "The Girl With a Pearl Earring". It was a good story, but had nothing to do with the real people involved because we simply do not know. There are only a few dozen paintings by the artist still extant, but they all are wonderful and attract modern sensibilities because of their lines and perfect artificiality and their perfect reality. They present the exact kind of contradiction and puzzles we love nowadays, and because there are only a few dozen, the dilettante can study each of them in detail without becoming overwhelmed.
This book has four fine papers that discuss aspects of what we know about the artist and his work. There is also a chronology and the catalogue of the exhibition, which had a very large sampling of the known paintings. The reproductions are fabulous including the details and the smaller reproduction of contemporary paintings with similar subjects by other artists.
Excellent book to have on your shelf. It is always pleasant to gaze into these 17th century paintings and notice things and then notice new things.
Lavishly illustrated with excellent reproductions September 29, 2005
Eugene Tenenbaum (Bronx, NY USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This paperback edition ISBN: 0894682199 (also as clothbound under ISBN: 0300065582) by Johannes Vermeer (Contributors: Ben Broos and Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr. with Albert Blankert and Jorgen Wadum; Editor: Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr.) is a lavishly illustrated catalog with excellent reproductions for the first exhibition devoted solely to the works of Johannes Vermeer--the 17th-century Dutch painter who explored the psychological nuances of human endeavor--opening at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in November 1995 (Royal Cabinet of Paintings Mauritshuis, the Hague, in March 1996). 232 pp., 127 illustrations including 60 color plates, 12.0 x 9.5 x 0.75 inches. ISBN: 061350710X is an entirely different book for children not even close to this one.
Very Beautiful Book & definitely worth the Price. January 30, 2005
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I never knew who Johannes Vermeer was until i saw Girl with a Pearl Earring the movie. I don't know a thing about art but this book has history on the artist, the art times in Delft Holland, and the paintings that Mr. Vermeer did when he lived. I think this book is very beautiful and if anyone wants to know something on the subject of art then i would tell you to actually get this. Use this book as your introduction into the art world/history; the subject. 40 dollars may seem like alot of money for anyone but this is worth the investment. Yes, the book contains many pictures-it too has the one titled, "Girl with a Pearl Earring." I try to use this book for inspiration; i recommend this 100% percent.
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