A young woman with a water pitcher
Outline
- Painting information
- Meaning of the painting
- Details in the painting
- The face, the girl
- The wall map
- The pitcher and basin
- The window
Painting information
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This picture of the early to mid-1660s is characteristic of Vermeer’s mature style.
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Vermeer gets a quiet balance of primary colors and simple shapes
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The composition suits the theme of domestic, tranquility, underscored by the pitcher, traditional symbol of purity.
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This canvas was the first of thirteen paintings by Vermeer to enter the United States between 1887 and 1919.
The meaning
- The difference between outside and inside.
- The window and the room.
- The marriage and the freedom.
- The window -> freedom
- The room -> marriage
The face
- She is somewhat inexpressive.
- A similar white cap in other paintings.
- The most characteristic -> blue colour of the headdress´ shadows.
- Neutral gray.
The wall map
- The Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands in 1671.
- Real map.
- Vermeer intrduces a few decorative themes to give it a new look.
The pitcher and basin
- It plays a fundamental role in the composition. Maps were used as a decorative element in Dutch houses.
- The realism of both of them in the house life.
- This model of pitcher could be owned by Vermeer´s mother in law. A present for her Daugther.
The window
- It seems to be the same as in the “Music Lesson”
- Some observers believe that the girl is watering the flowers.
- The glass of the window is broken down to make a mosaic.
Web pages information
- www.essentialvermeer.com
- www.terraingallery.org/ Vermeer-Woman-Jug- JJ-RJ.htm
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