‘‘Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting’’ (National Gallery of Art, Washington DC)
TRAVELLING across oceans and back in time, the next stop on this week’s virtual tour is the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC for an introduction to the days of Vermeer and his fellow Old Masters. Genre paintings — scenes of daily life — are considered among the gems of the Dutch Golden Age. In the 1600s, artists like Johannes Vermeer, Gerard ter Borch and Gerrit Dou depicted images of prosperity, culture and leisure in the Dutch Republic, weaving a narrative of peaceful reflection, gentle pleasures and family bonds. For any idealisation of subject matter, the faces that look out from the canvases are expressive, the body language is animated, eyes that meet the viewer’s gaze are empathetic and knowing.
Vermeer and his contemporaries were as adept at capturing subtle emotion as they were at painting the rich tapestries and flowing silks and other symbols of wealth.
Ter Borch was encouraged by his father to paint scenes of everyday people and activities, and the contrast between grandiose style and comparatively mundane themes is striking. Rather than the representation of a Biblical scene or mighty battle, figures write letters, they do needlework, they play with pets, they daydream. Many look contemplative. Some look bored. It’s an accessible collection, both in technical layout and in a human connection with the works themselves. The exhibition is not particularly large, just a sampling, but informative and a great entry point to the genre.