Scientific investigations of Vermeer’s The Milkmaid reveal what the Rijksmuseum describes as “startling discoveries”. Superior methods have uncovered two objects within the image which the artist later painted over. Analysis additionally throws contemporary gentle on Johannes Vermeer’s approach: the belief that he labored slowly and meticulously is now being questioned.
The Milkmaid (about 1660), which was purchased by Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in 1908, has lengthy been among the many museum’s hottest works.
Analysis on The Milkmaid has been undertaken together with what would be the largest Vermeer exhibition ever held, to be introduced from 10 February to 4 June 2023. It can embody 27 of the 35 accepted Vermeers. An earlier retrospective on the Nationwide Gallery of Artwork in Washington, DC and the Mauritshuis in The Hague in 1995-96 included 23 work.
Vermeer’s The Milkmaid being examined with a Macro-XRPD scanner Credit score: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
In keeping with Taco Dibbits, the museum’s basic director, “a lot work had already been accomplished on The Milkmaid that we by no means anticipated one thing so definitive would floor because of fashionable expertise”. Conservators on the Rijksmuseum, working with colleagues from the Mauritshuis, discovered an underpainting under the floor of The Milkmaid. On the wall, behind the girl’s head, there’s a sketch of a picket jug holder and several other hanging ceramic jugs. This could have been utilized in a Seventeenth-century kitchen to retailer jugs by their handles.
Within the decrease proper of the composition conservators recognized a fireplace basket, which once more was painted over. Woven from willow stems, it could have contained a bowl of glowing coals—to maintain infants heat and to dry nappies. A list compiled shortly after Vermeer’s dying data that his family owned each a jug holder and fireplace basket. Whereas engaged on The Milkmaid, Vermeer determined to drop these two particulars.
Element of an infrared reflectance picture of The Milkmaid displaying the hearth basket—the deal with is well distinguishable Credit score: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
As Gregor Weber, head of nice artwork on the Rijksmuseum, defined at a press convention this morning: “Much less is extra turned a form of motto for Vermeer’s artwork: simplicity, sturdy pictures not by many distracting particulars, however by the focus on the important.”
The underpainting additionally reveals extra about Vermeer’s approach. It has lengthy been assumed that the artist produced his small surviving oeuvre very slowly, working with nice precision. However in accordance with a museum spokesperson, the sketched underpainting “reveals clearly that Vermeer first rapidly painted the scene in gentle and darkish tones earlier than creating the element”.
Subsequent yr’s Vermeer present on the Rijksmuseum shall be crucial ever dedicated to the artist. Unusually, the Frick Assortment in New York has provided to lend all three of its Vermeers for the primary time since they had been acquired a century in the past.
The Artwork Newspaper can report {that a} portray which offered at Sotheby’s as a Vermeer in 2004 now appears as if it might not be accepted as by the grasp for the Rijksmuseum present. Younger Girl seated at a Virginal was rejected for many of the twentieth century, however when printed by Sotheby’s with new analysis it was totally authenticated and offered for £16m. After being purchased by the on line casino boss Steve Wynn it was later acquired in 2008 by Thomas and Daphne Kaplan, who personal the New York-based privately owned Leiden Assortment.
The Rijksmuseum will not be commenting on Younger Girl seated at a Virginal, however its spokesperson says that there are “about 35 work by Vermeer”. Most students now consider there are 35 totally accepted works which have been identified for many years, so if Younger Girl seated at a Virginal is added then this might enhance the quantity to 36. At this stage a museum spokesperson says the total listing of Vermeers shall be launched nearer the opening.
