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| The Concert After Vermeer (Vezina Reproduction) - Stage 5 |
On the wall to the left in a black frame is a landscape painting thought to be the work of of Jacob van Ruisdael, although writings on the painting do not offer a specific title. He was known for his rugged landscapes that were painted in the same manner of this painting.
On the wall to the right is a painting of The Procuress by Dirck van Baburen. The subject of this painting-within-a-painting seems to suggest that something improper is taking place, specifically the procuress playing the lute, her turbin wearing handler and the dark bearded customer. The question it does the inclusion of this painting suggest an inappropriate scene in the primary painting scene as well? This theory is disputed by many since The Procuress was in fact owned by Vermeer’s family. Moreover, the figures in the room are intently preoccupied with their music: they do not look at each other, and seem unaware they are being observed or painted.
The third embedded painting is on the harpsicord lid which is in the open position. According to experts, the harpsichord with the idyllic landscape on its lid was almost certainly manufactured by the renowned Ruckers family in Antwerp with an original landscape by Jan Wildens.
In my reproduction of The Concert I decided to use reference photos of the wall paintings in all their colorful detail instead of trying to copy the very muted versions of the paintings from within my reference photo of The Concert. I depicted the two wall paintings brightly and colorfully as backdrops for the main painting. Perhaps Vermeer would cringe at how bright they look and consider them a distraction. Perhaps I will dull them down at the end, but not yet. Much color fading has taken place in this painting over the last 350 years, so can anyone say for certain how vibrant the colors were when it was first painted?
Here is my reproduction version of The Concert - still a work in progress.
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