Love it.
Pieter de Hooch is the master of transforming those quiet domestic interior scenes of everyday Dutch life and transforming them into something so very beautiful. E.g., The Courtyard of a House in Delft by de Hooch - an ordinary scene of a girl holding the hand of her mother. This painting is after he left Delft and settled in Amsterdam.
Here, one woman with a violin, a man seated (hat tilted) and smiling towards the third lady (stirring a glass of wine and v. stylishly adorned). But we’re drawn to the man standing silhouetted beneath the archway, looking out toward the street. Why is his back turned away from us?
The things great about his paintings:
- Brilliant handling of light and space - main courtyard is flooded with soft twilight hues imbuing a calm atmosphere.
- The doorkijkje device which has the effect of drawing the viewer into the painting, as if we’re “participating”.
- The subject-matter is very appealing to me - and usually with some mystery to it - I enjoy the genre scenes of merriment (Jan Steen), or the low-lifes (Adriaen van Ostade) etc., but Hooch’s themes - a sense of order, virtue, safeness, cleanliness, with some lustful undertones, etc are things I like.
- Attention to detail and textures - floor tiles, the vestments, and the opulent Turkish-style table cloth.
The sheer detail in the background beyond the archway is amazing - joints on exterior doors to a window, balustrade, stones on the gravel road, etc. What is especially great is how the brighter light “outside” is render in the paint.
:)
Nice picture. It's nice seeing you in there too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. đź‘Ť
DeleteYour analysis of the paintings is always enjoyable to read
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this painting before. I love it, especially the entryway to the brighter courtyard. I think the man in the doorway is anxiously waiting and looking for someone who was supposed to come and join their little party. Has he been stood up? That's the vibe I get.
ReplyDeleteAnd is he holding a lute or a zither or something? I can't quite make it out but I assume it's some kind of musical string instrument.
DeleteIsn't it interesting that - because he's facing away from us - we want to know more about him.
DeleteInteresting exhibition. Liam, you look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteđź‘Ť
DeleteRe the artist's attention to detail and textures, you mention floor tiles, vestments, and the opulent Turkish-style table cloth. But also the construction materials next to the party, and on the exterior of the opposite building. You have to admire Pieter de Hooch and his contemporaries.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. well said,
DeleteLooks good, I like it. Nice photos :)
ReplyDeleteA fascinating painting. The doorkijkje device (I had to google that one) is very effective and indeed gives a wonderful sense of depth and space. And as you say the detail is extraordinary - like the sleeves on the woman's dress.
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful.
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