Vermeer Master Of Light : 2005 Wall Calendar

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Summary: A dozen examples of the paintings of Johannes Vermeer
Review: Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was already my favorite Dutch painter of the late-Renaissance long before the movie version of Tracy Chevalier's novel "Girl with a Pearl Earring" came out. But by now others are captivated by his paintings, a dozen of which are collected here for the "Vermeer Master of Light: 2005 Wall Calendar." Most of these works evidence the way Vermeer used dramatic lighting and perspective to depict figures in meditative moments. There are few painters whose work aspires to the nature of poetry, but Vermeer would be on that short list.

The dozen works included in this 2005 wall calendar are: "Study of a Young Woman" (c. 1665-1674), "The Little Street" (c. 1657-1661), "A Lady Writing" (c. 1665-1666), "The Love Letter" (c. 1667-1670), "The Astronomer" (1668), "Girl with Pearl Earrings" (c.1665-1667), "Young Woman with Water Pitcher" (c. 1664-1665), "Woman With a Pearl Necklace" (c.1664), "The Guitar Player" (c. 1669-72), "The Concert" (c. 1664-1667), "The Girl with the Wineglass" (c.1659-1660), and "Woman in Blue Reading a Letter" (c. 1662-1665). If you have seen the movie, "Girl With a Pearl Earring," then you will recognize at least half of these works, either because Vermeer is shown painting them or because they were incorporated into the design and costumes of the film.

The "Vermeer Master of Light: 2005 Wall Calendar" includes holidays for the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and a bonus page featuring September-December 2004 so that you can start using it right away. Then again, if there is not a companion calendar for 2006 you just might be compelled to find a way of going through these dozen works again because there is such exquisite details to be found in each to be discovered, especially as each work informs your knowledge of the artist's technique.