Traces of Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer's luminous paintings are loved and admired around the world, but we do not understand how they were made. Jane Jelley has taken a new path in this detective story, exploring how Vermeer could have used a lens in the creation of his masterpieces. She has worked with the materials of his time, such as cochineal insect and lapis lazuli, and investigated old secrets and travellers' tales. The clues were there all along, and now we can unlock the studio door and catch a glimpse of Vermeer inside, painting light.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 08 January 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Johannes Vermeer's luminous paintings captivate audiences worldwide, yet their creation remains a mystery. We observe sunlit spaces, the shimmering reflection of satin, silver, and linen, the gentle touch of a hand on a lute string or letter, and the essence of a fleeting moment captured in time. Despite the expertise of experts, they are perplexed by the absence of preliminary drawings, shifts in focus, and the peculiar blurriness of Vermeer's images. Some speculate that he employed a camera obscura to capture his visions. The limited traces left behind by Vermeer offer little insight: no letters or diaries, and no accounts of his working process. In this captivating detective story, Jane Jelley takes a fresh approach. As a painter herself, she delves into the materials of Vermeer's era, including cochineal insect and lapis lazuli, as well as sheep bones, soot, earth, and rust. Through meticulous research and exploration, she unravels the secrets of painters' techniques, uncovers ancient mysteries, and listens to the tales of travelers. Jelley investigates how Vermeer could have utilized lenses in the creation of his masterpieces, and the clues have been there all along. With unwavering determination, she finally unlocks the studio door, granting us a glimpse of Vermeer at work, painting light.

Weight: 512g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198789734