The Geographer
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
Year Composed: 1668
Artistic Movement: Golden Age
Nationality: Netherlands
Floor Found in Château: Unknown Location
Year Composed: 1668
Artistic Movement: Golden Age
Nationality: Netherlands
Floor Found in Château: Unknown Location
About the Artwork
Johannes Vermeer's The Geographer is tied to its "sister" painting, The Astronomer (1668). In fact, this pair of paintings are two of the three to have been signed and dated by the artist (the third being The Procuress (1656)). The man appears to be in a contemplative state as he holds a compass in his hand. He is shown leaning over a table, which is covered by a large map. More maps can be seen strewn about the floor of the room, which is also the same room as seen within Vermeer's The Astronomer. This work of art highlights Vermeer's curious and inquisitive nature of studying the various sciences, blending the fields of science and art.
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 Geographer 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: Städel Museum, Frankfurt, Germany
Johannes Vermeer's The Geographer is tied to its "sister" painting, The Astronomer (1668). In fact, this pair of paintings are two of the three to have been signed and dated by the artist (the third being The Procuress (1656)). The man appears to be in a contemplative state as he holds a compass in his hand. He is shown leaning over a table, which is covered by a large map. More maps can be seen strewn about the floor of the room, which is also the same room as seen within Vermeer's The Astronomer. This work of art highlights Vermeer's curious and inquisitive nature of studying the various sciences, blending the fields of science and art.
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 Geographer 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: Städel Museum, Frankfurt, Germany