THE VIEW OF DELFT, c. 1660 by JOHANNES VERMEER
It is a morning scene with dark clouds overhead and the ships with their sails folded away, docked in their slips, as if a thunder and rain shower has just passed. The large black ships on the right and centre of the image allude to the wealth of the DUTCH REPUBLIC.
In the background, two blocky, grim-faced people are talking to each other. The clothing of these two women, standing alone, is a stark contrast. One woman is wearing the traditional, muted black clothing of the predominantly PROTESTANT DUTCH people, while the other woman is wearing cadmium-yellow bodice and a blue apron. This woman bears a striking resemblance to the woman in many of VERMEER’s earlier paintings.
One of the most striking things about The View is that it is photorealistic when viewed from a distance. That’s why it’s no wonder that it’s said VERMEER often used a “camera obscura” to help improve the painting’s naturalness. But upon closer inspection, it’s easy to spot the dots, specks, and spots that create the tonal variation and detail in the painting.
It is even said that Vermeer used sand to paint the rough roofs and brickwork on the buildings. VERMEER’s attention to detail and realism makes it easy to understand why PROUST called it “the most beautiful picture in the world.”
