The Girl with a Pearl Earring
Nihal D Amerasekera
Every year we
do a family holiday together. This year we went to Deal in Kent. There we
stayed in a large Victorian house by the sea. The house had all the trappings
of an era now long gone. We arrived at our destination late on a long summer
evening. The sun was still shining
bright and it was hot. Tired after the long journey we all craved for some
wine. As we all sat in the spacious lounge, I was struck by the gaze of a
beautiful girl. This enigmatic gaze was both intimate and ambiguous. Actually,
she was peering through the glass of a framed painting. I was simply mesmerized
and bewitched by her beauty. I had seen the painting before and had to get
closer to appreciate the subtle nuances of her gaze.
The painting of the ‘Girl with pearl earrings” was done by Johannes Vermeer, a Dutch painter circa 1665. The original was done in oil on canvas and presently hangs in the Mauritshuis museum in the Hague, Netherlands. The girl in the painting looks distinctly European but with an oriental turban. There is much speculation, but the true subject of this painting is unknown. Some say she is a Biblical figure. Others believe it is Sybil from Greek mythology. There is also a suggestion she may be Maria, the painter’s daughter. Could she be a real model?
Some believe
this is not a painting of a real person but a ‘tronie’ which is just a painting
of an imaginary figure as was sometimes done in those days. The lack of moles
and scars on the face, it seems, supports this view.
Johannes
Vermeer is one of the most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century. He is
famous for his amazing use of light. This is shown here in the softness of the
girl’s face and the glimmers of light on her moist lips. He has managed to
capture a calm and captivating look on her face. She has a most striking gaze. The
dark background creates a timeless atmosphere. The prominent pearl earring adds
to the painting's air of mystery and exoticism.
It was first
called “ The girl with a turban”. The turban was then a fashion accessory
during the long years of Turkish wars. It was much later when it was called “The
girl with a pearl earring”.
In 1999 Tracy
Chevalier wrote a historical novel “ Girl with a pearl earring” inspired by
this painting. She creates a story about the association of Vermeer and the
model, Griet. According to Tracy
Chevalier her expression has been described as a mix of innocence and
experience, joy and sorrow, longing and loss.
The novel was adapted into a 2003 film starring Scarlett Johansson and
Colin Firth, directed by Peter Webber.
On returning
home from our holiday I made the decision to draw the girl with the pearl
earrings to the best of my ability. I knew it would be a huge challenge and a
gargantuan task. This took me a couple of weeks to complete. As always, I am
never fully satisfied with the final outcome. But I know my limitations. I just
hope I have done her justice by recreating her beauty, innocence and naivety
and that mesmerizing gaze with a tinge of sadness.
I believe
paintings, poems and music are closely interwoven and have much in common to
create beauty, charm and elegance in our minds. A very famous poem about a girl
is "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron. The poem describes a woman's
external beauty and inner grace, emphasizing her harmonious and balanced
nature. The piece of music that comes easily to mind is Debussy’s "The
Girl with the Flaxen Hair". His successful portrayal of the girl’s
emotions is tied in with the musical simplicity of the prelude. A most
beautiful piece of music which is one of my favourites.
From AI:
Recent
research using advanced imaging techniques has revealed new details about the
painting's creation and hidden features, including a green curtain behind the
girl and the presence of eyelashes. Girl with a Pearl Earring" has gained
immense popularity in recent times, becoming a cultural icon and inspiring a
bestselling novel and a film adaptation. It has even been called "The Mona
Lisa of the North", highlighting its captivating nature and the lingering
mystery surrounding its subject.
Nihal, this is a brilliant effort. You have captured her expression so well. She looks innocent and at the same time, captivating.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of many famous paintings of women in western history. Several iconic paintings feature women's faces, with the "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci being perhaps the most famous. Other notable portraits include "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer, "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" by Gustav Klimt, and "Whistler's Mother" by James McNeill Whistler, "Le Reve" (The Dream), by Pablo Picasso. There are many more of course. These paintings are celebrated for their artistic merit and the captivating portrayal of the female subject.
Mahendra
DeleteThank you for those kind comments and the publishing this painting and the narrative. The Blog is simply ambling along.
Nihal ,
ReplyDeleteI was holding my breath in anticipation of this so masterfully executed reproduction by you . I knew you could do it !
Thank you also for the narrative including what led you to embark
on this ambitious project.
There have been countless intriguing stories about this painting- all of them very interesting, but as you’ve said- no one will ever know - pretty much like the enigmatic Mona Lisa .
Congratulations to the new Vermeer !
As you’ve said, “ paintings, poems and music are closely interwoven and have much in common to create beauty, charm and elegance in our minds. “
To this I would add well written prose , which does the same .
You may not remember that when I first read your articles in the blog I likened them to the art of Monet and Renoir , as they stirred the same emotions in me as their paintings did.
The prose of our batchmate Kumar does the same - transporting one to another dimension.
Byron’s poem ‘She walks in beauty’ was recited to me by my father in my early teens and has stayed with me ever since - the last verse being my favorite- though the entire poem is very beautiful.
As for Debussy - the fluidity and imagery of his music is a dream to say the least.
‘The maid with the flaxen hair’, though played by many performers on many different instruments, my favorite is by none other than Heifetz - the virtuoso violinist of a bygone era.
A wonderful post Nihal - Thanks to Mahen for bringing it to us .
Shall await your Mona Lisa .
Cheers
Rohini
Hello Rohini
ReplyDeletePlaudits and accolades for this masterpiece done nearly 400 years ago must go to Johannes Vermeer. What I have done is merely to copy the painting to the best of my ability. Thank you for those kind comments nevertheless. Glad you liked my narrative.
I have always loved the music of Debussy mostly the ones for the piano. They create beautiful landscapes in my mind with plenty of calmness and solitude bringing peace to my soul.
Thank you again Rohini. Hopefully we will see some of your work again in the Blog.
Hi Nihal
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting.
I’m no expert, but I do appreciate art.
The expressive eyes, the sharpness of nose and shapely lips taken in together - I agree it is captivating.
The two weeks to create this work of beauty was time well spent. Thank you for sharing this with us. The act of painting as well as the end product has no doubt given you great satisfaction. I hope it will inspire you to paint more.
Bora
Hello Bora,
DeleteThank you for your kind comment. As I have said plaudits must go to the original painter whose brilliance has inspires many budding artists. Indra Anandasabapthy and his wife Rani are great admirers of Vermeer's paintings and has seen many of his 39 paintings in galleries in New York.
As we paint, write and comment we are helping to keep the blog alive in its sunset days/months/years.
Nihal, I am continuing to be impressed by your extraordinary talent in painting. About how many paintings do you have now? Why not exhibit? Rani Anandasabhapathy is also an excellent artist.
ReplyDeleteRohini, I am also quite impressed by your knowledge regarding paintings.
Hello Sanath
DeleteThank you for your comment. I can only paint what I see, like from a photo. Hence my paintings are all already in the public domain. So an exhibition is just out of the question. I paint simply for my own enjoyment and also to keep the blog alive. It certainly gives me a great lift to read and hear of the good comments about my work. I thank them all from the bottom of my ageing heart and mind.
As for Rani Anandasabapathy , she is a great painter and may have had several exhibitions of her own work already and so well deserved.
There are many in our batch who are great painters like Chira and Mahendra G and of course the late Tilak Dayaratne.
Sanath
DeleteI still got the portrait I did of you many many years ago. I am very proud of that and hope you liked it too. I did one for Lubber, Lucky Abey and also Mahendra G.. I painted several of my teachers at the faculty and also of clinical teachers which are already in the blog. I have avoided painting the ladies from our batch as I am a novice and if I dont get it right they may get very upset. Men are less concerned about their appearance!!!!!! They will forgive me more easily.
Hi Nihal, thanks for educating me re this painting . As speedy mentioned this painting too has that Mystic look like the Mona Lisa. As the words in the song Mona Lisa I wander what were the expressions, lonely or broken hearted, or whatever else was going through this pretty women’s mind. This month is considered the month of the woman, and today in church the message was about Naomi and Ruth, Probably a good time for a discussion of women leaders , Political leaders, our teachers our friends and batch mates , relatives who have left a mark in our lives.
ReplyDeleteRajan ( Patas)
Great to hear from you Patas and thank you for the kind comment. The hardest in this painting is to get the expression right and I just hope I managed even a bit of it. Best wishes
DeleteRajan, you suggested a good topic for discussion. Without doing any reasearch, the political female leaders of distinction that come to mind (without being partisan) to me are the following:- Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female PM, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel - the longest serving and strongest and most honest leader with a simple life style, Hilary Clinton from the USA. I am sure there are many more.
DeleteThere also was a Israel prime minister I think whose name I cannot recall and looking back at our teachers, Miss Bay at STC kindergarten, Med school Drs Attygalle , Yoganathan from the path department, Priya Soysa Pediatrcs,
DeleteHello Anonymous!
DeleteThanks for commenting. I too did think of Golda Meir the Israel PM but felt not many will remember the events of so long ago. Interestingly she was born in Ukraine.
Dear Nihal, I apologize for joining the discussion so late. I am often nudged into action by a WhatsApp message from Mahen, but somehow I missed it this time.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is "Ausgezeichnet!"
Translation: excellent, superior, perfect, exquisite, superb, marvelous and finally "kick-ass!"
You've nailed it! I thought it was the original Vermeer painting posted by Mahen to accompany your narrative! The colors are perfect and the expression exquisite.
You pulled off another miracle, because by posting this you inspired Kumar to write about the Sri Lankan artists.
Keep painting, my friend! It is good for your soul as well as your brain.
Dear Srianee
DeleteSo lovely to see you back on the Blog. I know you are busy with things. This painting surprised me too as it came so near to the original. Perhaps just a one off. I concentrated on the expression more than anything else to get it right. Thank you.
Nihal
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late entry.
This painting is really beautiful, you are a great artist. Well done !
Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely Paintings.
All the best
Chira
Hello Chira,
DeleteSo lovely to hear from you.Glad you like the painting. We are still waiting for your lovely paintings to bring joy to our lives.