A9: Paint Like Vermeer

Today, the name Vermeer instantly conjures an image of his Girl with the Pearl Earring painting, known as the "Mona Lisa of the North." The 17th century Dutch Master's rendition of an ordinary girl, sublimely glancing at the viewer from a mysterious black background with a shining pearl on her lobe, has become a universal icon of Dutch Golden Age artwork. Vermeer was best-known for his genre scenes, or images of daily life, often imbued with his stylistic hallmarks. Vermeer did not feature Nobility, Generals or the famous. Instead he painted scenes of the Middle Class, mostly women, going about their daily activities with dignity and purpose. These scenes resonated with the Deutch reflecting their strong values of the home, family and hard work. Participants will review several of Vermeer's paintings along with a detailed step-by-step process of how a "traditional" Vermeer oil painting was probably produced.

Purpose: Learn about the style and technique of this Dutch master painter

Facilitator: Dean Oestreich