The Astronomer
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
Year Composed: 1668
Artistic Movement: Golden Age
Nationality: Netherlands
Floor Found in Château: Basement
Year Composed: 1668
Artistic Movement: Golden Age
Nationality: Netherlands
Floor Found in Château: Basement
About the Artwork
Comparable to The Geographer (1668), Johannes Vermeer composed The Astronomer within the same room, including the same visual elements such as the desk, window, shelving unit, and globe. Science was a fascination for Dutch Golden Age painters, and Vermeer highlights the science of astronomy within this particular painting. Some symbolism within the piece include the celestial globe being studied by the astronomer, the book on the table in front of the scientist (which is an institutional guide on astronomy), and the charts posted on the bookshelf in the background. Currently on display at the Louvre Museum (Paris, France), The Astronomer highlights the desire and passion for studying science, the blending of art and science within society and culture.
About the Artist
Dutch master Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft within the Dutch Republic, known for his cultural and everyday scenes of the Dutch society. Similar to the art of Jacob van Ruisdael, Vermeer expressed a sense of almost-hyper realism with his objects, scenes, and figures. Religion, poetry, music, and science are all allusions that can be found within his scenes, which range from noble society to scenes of everyday life. These paintings can include The Milkmaid (1658), Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665), and The Allegory of Painting (1666-1668).
About the Movement
The Astronomer was composed in the Dutch Golden Age of art. The Dutch Golden Age that spanned the 17th Century (or during the 1600s) in the Netherlands. During this time, the Dutch economy and culture was flourishing due to their rise in maritime trading, banking system, and rise of the middle class. The aesthetics of the Golden Age followed the Baroque Age of art, however the content of most works revolved around genre, everyday scenes of Dutch society. Some of the most famous Dutch Golden Age artists included Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and Jan van Eyck.
Location of Original Work of Art: Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Comparable to The Geographer (1668), Johannes Vermeer composed The Astronomer within the same room, including the same visual elements such as the desk, window, shelving unit, and globe. Science was a fascination for Dutch Golden Age painters, and Vermeer highlights the science of astronomy within this particular painting. Some symbolism within the piece include the celestial globe being studied by the astronomer, the book on the table in front of the scientist (which is an institutional guide on astronomy), and the charts posted on the bookshelf in the background. Currently on display at the Louvre Museum (Paris, France), The Astronomer highlights the desire and passion for studying science, the blending of art and science within society and culture.
About the Artist
Dutch master Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft within the Dutch Republic, known for his cultural and everyday scenes of the Dutch society. Similar to the art of Jacob van Ruisdael, Vermeer expressed a sense of almost-hyper realism with his objects, scenes, and figures. Religion, poetry, music, and science are all allusions that can be found within his scenes, which range from noble society to scenes of everyday life. These paintings can include The Milkmaid (1658), Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665), and The Allegory of Painting (1666-1668).
About the Movement
The Astronomer was composed in the Dutch Golden Age of art. The Dutch Golden Age that spanned the 17th Century (or during the 1600s) in the Netherlands. During this time, the Dutch economy and culture was flourishing due to their rise in maritime trading, banking system, and rise of the middle class. The aesthetics of the Golden Age followed the Baroque Age of art, however the content of most works revolved around genre, everyday scenes of Dutch society. Some of the most famous Dutch Golden Age artists included Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and Jan van Eyck.
Location of Original Work of Art: Louvre Museum, Paris, France