Vermeer’s View of Delft: Technique, Context, and Meaning
View of Delft: Details
- Author: Vermeer, Jan
- Dated: 1658–1660
- Style: Baroque
- School: Holland
- Technique: Oil
- Support: Canvas, 98.5 x 118.5 cm
- Current Location: Mauritshuis, The Hague
Technical and Formal Analysis
Technical Elements
Vermeer shows a clear preference for blended yellow and blue. In View of Delft, yellow dominates the solid areas; it is brighter in the foreground, losing strength against the green on the other side of the border. Blue dominates the channel and also appears in the sky and some
Principles of Scientific Knowledge, Semiotics & Language
Understanding Scientific Knowledge
Science is a rational, objective, and critical process that provides descriptions of phenomena, predicts their behavior, and yields proven results.
Characteristics of Science
- Sound: Bases its claims on arguments and evidence.
- Objective: Valid for everyone and open to research and verification by others.
- Critical: Research results are considered provisional, not final.
Functions of Science
- Describe: Observe phenomena and take note of their behavior.
- Explain: Identify the
Modern Art Analysis: Moore, Chillida, Kandinsky & Fauvism
Analyses of Key Modern Artworks
Henry Moore: Reclining Figure (Example Analysis)
Formal Analysis
Composition
A representation of a woman reclined on a horizontal surface, exhibiting a large gap or void beneath the figure. While somewhat figurative, the woman is rendered schematically; for example, the face is disproportionate to the body. The artist emphasizes the upper part of the female anatomy.
Line and Form
A predominance of curved lines transmits calmness and rest, evident in both the solid, rounded
Read MoreThe Doubt of St. Thomas: Romanesque Relief at Santo Domingo de Silos
The Doubt of St. Thomas: Cloister of Santo Domingo de Silos
The monumental sculpture, now prominently displayed, once adorned the cloisters of the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos in Burgos. Santo Domingo de Silos and Moissac, nearly contemporary, were among the first to embellish architectural elements of cloisters with storied iconography.
“The Doubt of St. Thomas” Relief
“The Doubt of St. Thomas” is a celebrated relief found on the inner sides of the pillars within the cloister of Santo Domingo.
Read MoreCaravaggio’s Sicilian Period: Burial of St. Lucy and Resurrection of Lazarus
Caravaggio’s Sicilian Period: A Study of Two Masterpieces
In his Sicilian period (1608-1609), Caravaggio’s style evolved, reflecting the unique environment and commissions he received. This analysis focuses on two significant works from this period: The Burial of St. Lucy and The Resurrection of Lazarus.
In these paintings, the soil is well-defined, and figures appear smaller compared to earlier Roman works. The scenes are more intimate, lacking overt symbols of sanctity. The figures are frozen in
Read MoreBernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa: Context, Analysis, and Interpretation
Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa
1. Context: The Baroque Era
The Baroque era, spanning the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, marked a significant shift from the Renaissance. This period witnessed a division of Europe into Catholic and Protestant regions, a crisis of humanism, and a renewed emphasis on traditional and religious values.
The Baroque style is characterized by its propagandistic purposes, rhetorical formal language, and diverse aesthetic trends.