You have to view this Vermeer painting in person to see how glorious the golden light is pouring in through the stained glass window on the left. It is exceptional. Most still photos don't do the painting justice, just show the window as some pale forgettable ghost, though this video almost captures it. And the rest of the painting is so full of richness, complexity, and warmth, suffused with the glow from the window. This is my favorite painting of Vermeer's. I was lucky enough to see it in person at the Metropolitan Museum at a Vermeer Exhibit in 2001, and it stopped me in my tracks I was so stunned. Hope to see it again someday in Germany.
Yes. Well... In the past, Paintings were one of the few ways to tell stories. So we can say that the old painters were the movie makers of their time, if you think about it. That's why a painting done in our days usually doesn't have the same value than the old ones. That's a very good video, by the way! 👍
Vermeer: The Glass of Wine. The two critics missed at least 2 things. First, the young woman is clenching her knees together, as best she can, as evidenced by the folds of flowing cloth gathered between her knees, while using the nearly empty glass as a shield. Second, while they note that he is dressed in expensive, outdoor garments (and an expensive shirt, judging by the cuffs), they overlook what that means - it appears that he not only has made a sudden and unannounced entrance into her room, where she has been practicing with her instrument, but that he has the social standing to her or her family that allows him the freedom to make such an invasion of her private area. Note the disarray of her sheet music, parts of which are hanging over the edge of the table. She has been required to get out of her chair, leave her instrument where she had been sitting, and to take the chair facing the light under his insistent gaze, and then to start drinking wine. The girl could be as young as 13, or as old as 21, but her frame seems to be fully developed, so she may be closer to 21. She has led a sheltered life in a wealthy home, as shown by her perfectly manicured and lacquered nails on the hand holding the glass, the very high quality of her spotless gold embroidered clothing, and her engagement in practicing music, instead of working. The musical instrument may not be a symbol of frivolity, as suggested in the video, but taken with the sheet music she was studying, may indicate a dedication to learning how to master a complex, multi-stringed instrument, including reading the music necessary to play it, one of the few outlets available to women of her social class in that time and place. The man is older, and experienced in the ways of the world outside her small realm, and he is intently staring down at her. She is not looking back at him. Cupid is absent. The girl's rings, if any, are hidden, so there is no obvious indication of her marital status. However, her left forearm is in a protective position, across her waist. Remember her clenched knees. Note that the tops of the back posts of both chairs in the room appear to be decorated with carved clusters of grapes. Whose house is she in, her family's or his? Is this a scene of seduction, a prelude to rape, a merchant bringing a single flask of wine for her not just to sample, but to privately drink several glasses of (without a chaperone?) and of which he doesn't partake (no 2nd glass for him), or an older family member forcing her to imbibe "dutch courage" and come out of her room to meet someone she doesn't want to? Or is it a new husband in the privacy of his own home trying to coerce his very reluctant bride into relaxing and having marital relations with him in the middle of the day? Note: Another Vermeer painting, "Girl with a wine glass," uses the same room as a setting, but the details of the stained glass "temperance" window are much clearer.
@@Anonymous-it5jw I agree , the lack of the second glass and his whole posture indicates dominance , and her body language reluctance.. he is such a phenomenal artist , so delicate and detailed. Nothing is left to chance. It is ambiguous but only just !
He is temptation. A green cloak, with big ringed hat. She does not see him, she does not realise. If she continues drinking she risks losing herself due to the distraction. Her hat is white (chakra) tinged with purple at the back, then the long red dress hovering just above the checkerboard floor. A game is afoot; she has an inkling, yet she is being seduced and distracted. He is hidden to her gaze...yet she feels an electrical sense (a vibration, that something at that precise moment does not make sense to her)...temptation...and trusting ones intuition.
I could be wide of the mark entirely, but when I first saw this painting my immediate take was that he was simply a wine merchant providing a sample of a vintage to a customer for use at a party or function. Perhaps Vermeer was trying to convey more than this alone, but it explains why he's dressed like he's rushed in off the street, why he's holding the jug and is looking at her and awaiting confirmation - whilst at the same time being (almost smugly) confident as to the quality of the wine. He's received a shipment and was impatient for his wealthy customer to try it, interrupting her unannounced at practise. At the same time she is still aware of the potential impropriety of hosting him alone and feels a bit uncomfortable with her arm held tightly across herself?
Dr. Zucker: "What we're seeing is a man who is.." Me: CUTE! 😍 lol. I just dig the long curls, but anyway. I like the suggestive aspect of Vermeer's paintings. The more I heard of the analysis, the less attractive this guy became and the more I could relate to the young woman's predicament. Hookup culture has made dating a myth - so many are just racing to that finish line and it's hard to know who's worth pursuing / has respectable intentions. It was so satisfying the way the askew shapes became a metaphor for the bond between the people here. I didn't expect that, but it fit beautifully together. There's so much to see when you take the time to look. I don't know that I would've taken quite so much away on my own, but I'm certainly better at describing / analyzing art now than I was a year ago.
Interesting. In my view you have both missed out once of the crucial aspects of the painting. How many glasses are there ? Only one. Thus this is a picture of coercion. He is not drinking, his cloak at the top is unruly which can signify that he may be a little drunk already, but the fact that he is standing , and she is not and her left hand is folded across her lap clearly indicates that she is being forced to drink...
Women of Holland had more economic and social rights than anywhere else in Europe at the time of this painting. They were allowed to maintain their own property after marriage, for example. How unusual it is to see the portrayal of a man serving a woman at this point in history. Does this have anything at all to add to the consideration of this painting?
These videos are pure delight. Thank you
You have to view this Vermeer painting in person to see how glorious the golden light is pouring in through the stained glass window on the left. It is exceptional. Most still photos don't do the painting justice, just show the window as some pale forgettable ghost, though this video almost captures it. And the rest of the painting is so full of richness, complexity, and warmth, suffused with the glow from the window. This is my favorite painting of Vermeer's. I was lucky enough to see it in person at the Metropolitan Museum at a Vermeer Exhibit in 2001, and it stopped me in my tracks I was so stunned. Hope to see it again someday in Germany.
Thank you for sharing your splendid memory
Admirable lectura de admirable pintura !! Muchas gracias.
Yes. Well... In the past, Paintings were one of the few ways to tell stories. So we can say that the old painters were the movie makers of their time, if you think about it. That's why a painting done in our days usually doesn't have the same value than the old ones. That's a very good video, by the way! 👍
Another insightful commentary. Thank you indeed!
Interesting how the lady holds the glass by the base . Love the way the hand is rendered .
Amazing deductions. I find it so impressive how you guys could find significance in things I'd otherwise be aloof of
Yes these videos are brilliant thank you
Fantastic video!
He doesn't look impatient to me. He looks mildly amused, like, 'This is really good wine, isn't it?'
Has anyone ever rendered light more vividly than Vermeer?
Obviously....The lady is selecting a wine for her upcoming party and the man is a wine merchant offering his best wine for her occasion...TM
¡GENIAL! Que BELLEZA DE PINTURA 🎨🎨¡SIN PALABRAS!
Vermeer: The Glass of Wine.
The two critics missed at least 2 things. First, the young woman is clenching her knees together, as best she can, as evidenced by the folds of flowing cloth gathered between her knees, while using the nearly empty glass as a shield. Second, while they note that he is dressed in expensive, outdoor garments (and an expensive shirt, judging by the cuffs), they overlook what that means - it appears that he not only has made a sudden and unannounced entrance into her room, where she has been practicing with her instrument, but that he has the social standing to her or her family that allows him the freedom to make such an invasion of her private area. Note the disarray of her sheet music, parts of which are hanging over the edge of the table. She has been required to get out of her chair, leave her instrument where she had been sitting, and to take the chair facing the light under his insistent gaze, and then to start drinking wine.
The girl could be as young as 13, or as old as 21, but her frame seems to be fully developed, so she may be closer to 21. She has led a sheltered life in a wealthy home, as shown by her perfectly manicured and lacquered nails on the hand holding the glass, the very high quality of her spotless gold embroidered clothing, and her engagement in practicing music, instead of working. The musical instrument may not be a symbol of frivolity, as suggested in the video, but taken with the sheet music she was studying, may indicate a dedication to learning how to master a complex, multi-stringed instrument, including reading the music necessary to play it, one of the few outlets available to women of her social class in that time and place.
The man is older, and experienced in the ways of the world outside her small realm, and he is intently staring down at her. She is not looking back at him. Cupid is absent. The girl's rings, if any, are hidden, so there is no obvious indication of her marital status. However, her left forearm is in a protective position, across her waist. Remember her clenched knees. Note that the tops of the back posts of both chairs in the room appear to be decorated with carved clusters of grapes. Whose house is she in, her family's or his? Is this a scene of seduction, a prelude to rape, a merchant bringing a single flask of wine for her not just to sample, but to privately drink several glasses of (without a chaperone?) and of which he doesn't partake (no 2nd glass for him), or an older family member forcing her to imbibe "dutch courage" and come out of her room to meet someone she doesn't want to? Or is it a new husband in the privacy of his own home trying to coerce his very reluctant bride into relaxing and having marital relations with him in the middle of the day?
Note: Another Vermeer painting, "Girl with a wine glass," uses the same room as a setting, but the details of the stained glass "temperance" window are much clearer.
Great analysis!
@@Anonymous-it5jw I agree , the lack of the second glass and his whole posture indicates dominance , and her body language reluctance.. he is such a phenomenal artist , so delicate and detailed. Nothing is left to chance. It is ambiguous but only just !
Awesome video
He is temptation. A green cloak, with big ringed hat. She does not see him, she does not realise. If she continues drinking she risks losing herself due to the distraction. Her hat is white (chakra) tinged with purple at the back, then the long red dress hovering just above the checkerboard floor. A game is afoot; she has an inkling, yet she is being seduced and distracted. He is hidden to her gaze...yet she feels an electrical sense (a vibration, that something at that precise moment does not make sense to her)...temptation...and trusting ones intuition.
This, to me, is the correct interpretation.
I could be wide of the mark entirely, but when I first saw this painting my immediate take was that he was simply a wine merchant providing a sample of a vintage to a customer for use at a party or function. Perhaps Vermeer was trying to convey more than this alone, but it explains why he's dressed like he's rushed in off the street, why he's holding the jug and is looking at her and awaiting confirmation - whilst at the same time being (almost smugly) confident as to the quality of the wine. He's received a shipment and was impatient for his wealthy customer to try it, interrupting her unannounced at practise. At the same time she is still aware of the potential impropriety of hosting him alone and feels a bit uncomfortable with her arm held tightly across herself?
That is thee sexiest voice on earth
Dr. Zucker: "What we're seeing is a man who is.."
Me: CUTE! 😍
lol. I just dig the long curls, but anyway. I like the suggestive aspect of Vermeer's paintings.
The more I heard of the analysis, the less attractive this guy became and the more I could relate to the young woman's predicament. Hookup culture has made dating a myth - so many are just racing to that finish line and it's hard to know who's worth pursuing / has respectable intentions.
It was so satisfying the way the askew shapes became a metaphor for the bond between the people here. I didn't expect that, but it fit beautifully together. There's so much to see when you take the time to look. I don't know that I would've taken quite so much away on my own, but I'm certainly better at describing / analyzing art now than I was a year ago.
So glad to hear that you feel you are seeing more, how wonderful.
Oh, the cracked voice of Beth Harris in this one is so interesting, one starts to think about Scarlett Johansson
Melanie Griffith
Interesting. In my view you have both missed out once of the crucial aspects of the painting. How many glasses are there ? Only one. Thus this is a picture of coercion. He is not drinking, his cloak at the top is unruly which can signify that he may be a little drunk already, but the fact that he is standing , and she is not and her left hand is folded across her lap clearly indicates that she is being forced to drink...
Coercion may be one potential reading the artist sought to draw out, but ambiguity seems a more significant aspect of the artist's narrative strategy.
@@smarthistory-art-history we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. It seems quite clear to me for the reasons stated.
Middle age rohypnol ?
The sunlight in this is absolutely ridiculous. And to think the sun was always changing. It's just mind boggling they didn't have photos to work with.
Women of Holland had more economic and social rights than anywhere else in Europe at the time of this painting. They were allowed to maintain their own property after marriage, for example. How unusual it is to see the portrayal of a man serving a woman at this point in history. Does this have anything at all to add to the consideration of this painting?