The Dutch Masters, Including Rembrandt and Vermeer
Top Left: Young Woman with a Water Pitcher by Vermeer
Top Right: A Maid Asleep by Vermeer
Bottom Left: Man With a Magnifying Glass by Rembrandt
Bottom Right: Self Portrait by Rembrandt
I’ve been fascinated by and drawn to paintings by Dutch Masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt since I first saw their work in high school. I was drawn to their amazing talent and abilities to so perfectly paint people, but I also loved the strong attention to light and shadow and how it created a striking and moody feeling to the painting.
Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window by Vermeer
Vermeer’s ability to take a scene from everyday life and give it a sense of importance and elegance is inspiring.
Left: The Courtyard of A House by Pieter de Hooch
Right: The Little Street by Vermeer
Apart from the portraitists in this group of artists I also admire the landscapes that were created. No matter if the setting is a field with trees, a cityscape with buildings and people, or otherwise, the artists were exploring similar ideas of light, composition, and daily life. I think the fascination with depicting your everyday life has existed across all time in art, and it's something that never ceases to be captivating to look at.