Rembrandt v Vermeer

Self-Portrait (4)

1. Rembrandt had grand aspirations, as such he fashioned himself in the style of previous masters: The lighting is Caravaggio, the clothing is from the previous century. Imitating Raphael and TItian with pose.

2. The mood is dark and serious; spritzatura 

3. Wishes to display skill: tromplei 

4. Cite Rembrandt’s inventory and its stuff from all over, including indian costumes, antique shields, and chinese baskets, he had an obsession with costume

100 Guilder Print (4)

1. Introduces a different subject from Vermeer, that of the historical painting

2. A print, which is different. He plays a lot with the technique, there is etching and drypoint. The gradations of the right with the sketchy lines of the right. Virtuosistic use of light, similar to Vermeer.

3. Sketchy style

4. Somber mood

Milkmaid (4)

1. Subject is very typical of Vermeer: woman in a room, lightsource from the left. Focus on contemplation, the psychological.

2. Mood, calm with blues and yellows. Organized composition 

3. Style, drawing from the camera obscura to create circles of confusion. Scientific approach with use of string to create perspective.

4. Influenced by Lucas van Leyden and Gerrit Dou

Bathsheba at her Bath (3)

1. Rembrandt has a similar focus on the psychological. Here we see Bathsheba contemplating the letter from David that bids Bathsheba to come to him. Analysis derives from Protestant close reading of Bible–Catholic Vermeer

2. Use of impasto which would following him

3. Introspective mood similar to Vermeer

Allegory of the Art of Painting (3)

1. Subject: Within the confines of studio, but this time exaggerated. Leaning more into the historical as seen with Rembrandt (woman is Clio, the allegory of history). Insertion of self into work, similar to Artist in Studio. 

   1. More historical references, such as the eagles on the chandelier

   2. Posits himself as the inheristor of the low countries, split down middle goes into mind

Rembrandt Atypical

Rembrandt is atypical because of his intense focus on psychology and experimentation. Heavy influence from the Italian. Move away from intense details and into rough style.

Vermeer Representational

Vermeer is almost home grown, his works are a distillation of Dutch works. He has a scientific focus, but it actually adds to Dtuch detail orientation. Narrowed focus on genre scenes. Moralizing. Clean.