Map Monday: Mapping Art
Sorry, all you Map Monday fans out there. Last week I created this version, but apparently never hit "publish." So, I'll "Publish" this and give you a bonus Map Monday later as well. So here's last weeks... this week. ("Last Week This Week" would be a good name for a rock band... my homage to Dave Barry)
Now on to Mapping Art... a week later....
Johannes Vermeer has always intrigued me as an artist, going back to my Art History 101 class. How did he capture the light and shadows so well? Did he use a camera obscura? Why did he paint so few paintings? I recently watched a documentary on Amazon Prime entitled Vermeer: Beyond Time. The story of his life and the history was fascinating, but what really caught my eye was when they showed x-ray and infrared imaging of his paintings. Infrared imaging can show multiple layers and underdrawing (or the lack thereof) and X-radiographs show where certain pigments that used heavy metals (such as lead and mercury) show up in different layers in a painting. Thus advanced imaging techniques are being used to actually map art!
The National Gallery of Art has a great video (Vermeer: Master of Light-The Music Lesson, Part 2) and examples from "The Music Lesson" showing how these imaging technologies reveal changes and adjustments Vermeer made. A couple examples from this video are shown below. The National Gallery (UK) also has some great examples of infrared images of "The Music Lesson." From these images you can see how the position of the man was moved.
Why did he change the painting in these ways? Who knows? But it's fascinating to uncover everything you can about genius, and infrared and x-ray imaging, is just another way look deeper. Who know's what you might discover when mapping art!
Here's higher resolution view of "The Music Lesson."
A few resources on Vermeer:
- https://www.nga.gov/audio-video/video/vermeer-part-2.html
- http://countingvermeer.rkdmonographs.nl/chapter-2-the-use-of-x-radiographs-in-the-study-of-paintings
- http://countingvermeer.rkdmonographs.nl/appendix-i-paintings-reports-and-x-radiographs/l15-the-music-lesson-a-woman-at-a-virginal-with-a-gentleman
- https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/the-meaning-of-making/vermeer-and-technique/infrared-examination
And a few documentaries:
- Vemeer: Beyond Time. https://www.amazon.com/Vermeer-Beyond-Time-Jean-Pierre-Cottet/dp/B0779L1NJM
- Tim's Vermeer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFKRG0C
Fascinating, Dave. Thanks for sharing! A while back, I volunteered at my wife's medical practice to allow ultrasound technicians develop their skill at imaging blood vessels in my legs. That, too, was a fascinating application of remote sensing technology, looking inward instead of outward.
I think the subtle adjustment shows a distinct difference between an intrigued bystander and an engaged musician. His adjustment gives enough space to make you wonder which person that you might be. IMHO, he adjusts his painting to bring curiosity.
Dave...you had the opportunity to showcase his best work..."The Geographer".