Vermeer and Music

Vermeer and Music

In the summer of 2013, at the National Gallery in London, two ladies from the paintings of the famous Dutchman Jan Vermeer, "The Lady Standing at the Virginal" and "The Lady Sitting behind the Virginal", met for the first time as part of the same exhibition. The mysterious virginal is a musical instrument, a type of harpsichord. Instruments and other accompanying musical objects played not the least role in the work of the Dutch painters of the 17th century, because with their help it was possible to most effectively hint at the sophistication and high education of their subjects. The relationship between Vermeer's works and music became a key idea for the exhibition at the National Gallery. The works were joined by "Guitarist" and other paintings by the artist, one way or another dedicated to musical themes. And the performers from the Academy of Ancient Music, who enlivened the exhibition halls with works of the 17th century, provided a pleasure for the ears. The presenter of the program, art critic Tim Marlow, as usual, prepared for the audience the most detailed excursion into the life and work of the artist. Those who got to know Vermeer thanks to the famous film "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003) with the participation of Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, who played, respectively, the painter and his model, should learn a lot about the outstanding painter.