| Title |
A Study on Spatial Characteristics in the Paintings of Johannes Vermeer |
| Keywords |
Johannes Vermeer ; Art ; Painting ; Light ; Space ; Geometry |
| Abstract |
Johannes Vermeer is one of the masters in the 17th century Dutch Genre Painting. Genre Painting represented the mundane everyday life and humble domestic spaces of the time. It was so unique in the history of western art. Most common subjects of the medieval art had been myths, historical heroes, and the christianity up to that time. However, Dutch Genre Painting that was originated from the 16th century Flandre art has fundamentally changed perception of art. Genre Painting was related to the prosperous development of civil society and early capitalism in the Netherlands of the time. In the paintings of Vermeer, there are unique spatial characteristics. This study aims to 'spatially' analyze the representation of everyday space perceived by the painter himself. Three analytical elements were chosen: light, space, and geometry. These elements have crucial roles to construct a space together within which Vermeer tried to express his discoveries as well as perception of the world. Four paintings were selected to be further analyzed in detail: 「A Maid Asleep」(1656-57), 「The Little Street」(1658-60), 「The Music Lesson」(1662-1665), and 「Young Woman with a Water Pitcher」(1662). It has been found that there are distinct spatial aspects in his paintings: Structure of Frontal Layers, Diffusion of Light, and Subtle Geometrical Tension. It is hoped that this sort of interdisciplinary research could enrich the related studies in the field of architecture & interior design, and could help to rediscover the everyday world that we live in here and now. |