Jan Vermeer - The Master of Light

Leafing through a book full of images from the Dutch Golden Age, I fell on a set of paintings that made me stop my rhythmic page turning. They were by the Dutch 17th Century artist, Jan Vermeer.

What struck me about these masterpieces was the way he used light. He captured a quiet, still moment that the viewer could enter into. I could almost imagine the dust floating in the air, made visible by the light shafts falling through the window, the quietness of the solitary figure, the contemplative space. 

As I marveled over image after image I became aware that many of the subjects were lit from the left, seemingly from the same window. The sunlight illuminated the scene and created this beautiful rendering of light and shadow which gave each picture an ethereal feel.

Woman holding a balance - Vermeer 1664               

The Geographer - Jan Vermeer 1669              

                                                                                            The Astronomer - Jan Vermeer 1668

I absolutely adore the use of light in these pictures. There is a gentleness about the scene that is truly inviting. It's a very different use of light than the way Caravaggio used it. The light is much more diffused and the shadows are softer.

These every day scenes are truly epic and it's no wonder that Vermeer was called, "The Master of Light."