Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer - Rembrandt. Edward Collier. THE GEOGRAPHER by Johannes Vermeer. The 17th century was a time of dramatic discovery, a time when the charting of unexplored worlds was a dream shared by adventurers and traders but by geographers and astronomers as well.
As James Welu has noted, Hendrick Hondius' terrestrial globe, which rests on the cabinet in its four-legged stand, is turned to reveal the Indian Ocean, perhaps, as a note of national pride. This route was taken by the Dutch traders to reach China and Japan. Mapmaking in the Netherlands during the 1500s and 1600s is noted for its works of lavish decoration, particularly the cartes à figures, whose ornamental panels depicted figures, landscapes and possessions. Most of the period's maps and atlases were the work of family businesses. To the left is a detail of an existing copy of the map showing the area which appears in Vermeer's painting (see the whole map click on Relative Image no. 7).
Vermeer surrounded his scholar with objects appropriate for his study. Cross-staff, Northern Germany(?) Baruch Spinoza. Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. A Brief Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings.
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh has risen to the peak of artistic achievements. Although Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life, the aftermath of his work is enormous. Starry Night is one of the most well known images in modern culture as well as being one of the most replicated and sought after prints. From Don McLean's song 'Vincent' (Starry, Starry Night) (Based on the Painting), to the endless number of merchandise products sporting this image, it is nearly impossible to shy away from this amazing painting. One may begin to ask what features within the painting are responsible for its ever growing popularity. 1. Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889. During Van Gogh's younger years (1876-1880) he wanted to dedicate his life to evangelization of those in poverty. The stars in the night sky are surrounded with their own orb of light. Cafe Terrace At Night was also painted in Arles in 1888. An overview of The Prodigal Son by Rembrandt van Rijn.
Rembrandt's final word is given in his monumental painting of the Return of the Prodigal Son.
Here he interprets the Christian idea of mercy with an extraordinary solemnity, as though this were his spiritual testament to the world. It goes beyond the works of all other Baroque artists in the evocation of religious mood and human sympathy. The aged artist's power of realism is not diminished, but increased by psychological insight and spiritual awareness. School of Athens - Raphael. The Death of Socrates.