How to Read Paintings: Woman Holding a Balance by Johannes Vermeer
A portrait of wealth containing an allegory of moral judgement
At the very centre of this painting, a woman holds a pair of weighing scales in one hand. She is elegantly dressed in fine garments, including a fur-lined jacket. On the table before her is an open box overflowing with pieces of jewellery made of pearls and gold, along with a bundle of richly-coloured blue cloth.
The woman is obviously wealthy. She adopts a contemplative expression as she judges the weight — and therefore value — of each item of jewellery. It is possible to detect a delicate smile on her lips as she does so, perhaps a look of satisfaction at the result of her measurements. Or if it’s not a smile then it may be a look of circumspection, hinting at the delicate nature of her occupation. For the balance of the weighing scales is about more than money.
Like so many of Johannes Vermeer’s compositions, this image treads a subtle line between realistic depiction and moral allegory. Its meaning is as finely balanced as the weighing scales in the woman’s hand. For where this painting gains its real depth…
