VERMEER: IN PRAISE OF THE ORDINARY: PAINTING AS PHILOSOPHY  - Lecture 3 of 3 (via Zoom)

Aneta Georgievska-Shine, professor of art history, University of Maryland

A master of light and color, Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) creates a timeless world where the smallest actions take on a sense of beauty and meaningfulness beyond their commonplace settings. Though few in number, his paintings are considered some of the finest works in their genre. His artistry rests in his ability to transform a simple daily activity— such as pouring a jug of milk or reading a letter—into a sensitive exploration of human psychology. 

 His masterpieces such as The Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, Girl with the Red Hat, and The Music Lesson, were meticulously created, often taking six months or more to complete. Gloriously lit, serene, and exquisitely rendered, they continue to speak to us through their ability to touch upon some of the most universal ideas in human experience. In this three-session course, we look at Vermeer’s artistic development within the context of his native town of Delft, but also at the qualities of his paintings that make him feel as if he were our contemporary.