A "once-in-a-lifetime" Vermeer exhibition

The 17th century artist, hailed for his use of light and for the serenity of his painted scenes, was a master of the Dutch Golden Age. For the first time, 28 of Johannes Vermeer's exquisite paintings - the majority of his life's work - have been assembled at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for what's considered a once-in-a-lifetime show. Correspondent Seth Doane explores the story behind Vermeer's life and art.
#vermeer #rijksmuseum
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[@runrgrl35]

I had the privilege of seeing “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in SF when it toured the US in 2013. No words can describe what it’s like viewing this masterpiece in person!

[@lynnhubbard844]

yes! Greetings from San Francisco

[@runrgrl35]

@@lynnhubbard844 Hi from Sacramento 👋🏼!

[@albertjanvanhoek294]

That painting will be in Amsterdam only for a short spell and will - after eight weeks - return to The Hague,. That is before the end of the exhibition in the Rijksmuseum. It was marvellous to see all those Vermeers toghether.

[@loosilu]

I'm going to see it in Amsterdam! Last time I saw it was at the previous Vermeer exhibition in 1995 in DC.

[@loosilu]

@@albertjanvanhoek294 That's exactly why I scrambled for an early ticket!

[@CeeCee630]

I went to the Vermeer exhibit at the National Gallery in Washington, DC back in the late 90’s. It was ravishing

[@lynnhubbard844]

yes, I belong to the National Gallery. Look up their online lectures...

[@jenniferfleet6628]

Hey, so did I!

[@loosilu]

Me too! stood in line in the cold for hours. Now I'm packing my suitcase to go to Amsterdam this weekend. It's like meeting old, dear friends.

[@mililaniman]

The Girl With The Pearl Earring is a masterpiece. Little Street is beautiful too.

[@chrisfinch8637]

Art is one of the more smoother and less stressful topics ever displayed on this show. It’s one of my favorite topics, overall.

[@forrestunderwood3174]

Oh yeah? Well, Vermeer used a camera obscura to paint these!

[@RichardParker2008]

@@forrestunderwood3174 Stop trying to sound like an interesting person.

[@demi3115]

@@forrestunderwood3174 lmao

[@robinhambley1664]

@@forrestunderwood3174 possibly, but the camera obscura produces a dim and fuzzy image which could be made bright and sharp by the addition of another optic, which actually makes it a camera lucida, not obscura.

[@Nan-1017]

@@robinhambley1664 fascinating. So there could be truth to what forrest said?? …even centuries before the “camera” was invented?? Why do I feel silly asking this question?? Lol

[@nelew6454]

As a friend of the museum, I've been to see the Vermeers twice. I could go 100 times more and not get enough of these beautiful paintings.

[@hsmd4533]

I’m taking my kids in May!

[@glnnchrstphr9717]

What beautiful use of color.

[@libbyfransen7053]

His dream came true! In a beautiful way. Thanks Sunday Morning! I can always count on a good healthy education story. ❤

[@Nan-1017]

My favorite painter/artist ♥️

[@mARTin4ARTsake]

all the works in the exhibition in my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKHEi4GtqaagjdE

[@Nan-1017]

@@mARTin4ARTsake thank you mARTin, loved your video🥰

[@donnabaardsen5372]

Stunning talent.

[@susankeefer5981]

Twice in a lifetime. I saw the complete Vermeer exhibit in Washington DC in the 70s. Fabulous.

[@walkietalkietraveller2932]

now we are all envious, Susan :)

[@VDMOOLN]

Almost complete……21 paintings…still i’m very jealous

[@simoneknospe954]

Was für ein Künstler.Fantastische Bilder

[@normajeanreeves5409]

I love his paintings!! He is one of my favorite artists ❤

[@beautysurroundings5055]

My favorite painter ever ! He was a genius. Never again born so talented artist 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@benjaminniemczyk]

Vermeer is phenomenal! Great to see so many works in one place.

[@littlsuprstr]

Loved the fade in from the movie to the painting. Good work editor.

[@vegetariansuniteworldwide8091]

Please bring this show to the USA!

[@loosilu]

Not a chance. It took 7 years to negotiate this, and museums do NOT want to give up their Vermeers.

[@gracie2298]

My favorite painter! Have seen the Mona Lisa, yet to see one of Vermeer’s in person. Books are the closest so far and this segment. This was wonderful, thanks Sunday Morning.

[@Nan-1017]

Gracie, I saw The Girl With A Pearl Earring at The Frick 10 years ago and I spent the entire day there. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. It was amazing and thrilling. At one point I cried. It overwhelmed me to finally see this masterpiece in person. I will never ever forget it ♥️

[@gracie2298]

@@Nan-1017 You are so lucky. Yep, got a little teary at this segment. Thanks for your wonderful story!

[@pscar1]

Since you saw the Mona Lisa, you should have gone to see The Lacemaker and The Astronomer, both of which are at the Louvre...

[@Nan-1017]

@@gracie2298 oh Gracie, I wish you could have been there. I met so many people. Everyone was just so happy to be there! I met a 90 year old woman who had a season pass. She was lovely. Dressed to the nines. So elegant. We all knew how lucky we were to be there. I brought my husband, son and mother in law. Like I said, it’s a day I will never forget:)

[@gracie2298]

@@Nan-1017 It’s always so enjoyable when you are out & about and encounter like minded individuals. Imagine the conversation with the 90 year old? I looked up The Frick, it says three permanent Vermeer’s in their collection. I used to go to the library for their Travel Armchair film series. This elderly Lady when I walked in said sit next to me. She was a delight. Her makeup was impeccable & her clothing. We traveled all over the world via this series. Should say the rest of us Schlepped in wearing shorts & t-shirts since we live at the beach. I felt under dressed next to her 😎.

[@coreygrua3271]

I feel a sense of delight watching this story, mixed with some sadness that genius was not recognized by contemporaries.

[@nursejanainholland1978]

I live near Amsterdam and I had tickets for 6 March...but woke up with such a severe headache that I couldn't go. It broke my heart, but I'm happy to have seen the four of his paintings at Rijksmuseum, and I can go to Mauritshuis in The Hague to see The Girl with the Pearl Earring another time.

[@steveconn]

What a show. Some nice Vermeers at the Frick in NY too.

[@catherinereynolds9644]

So happy this exhibition exists!

[@vidavuk1649]

Wonderfull ! I am Vermeer`s fan since teenage time. For me is Vermeer the master of masters , the very best.

[@clairejeaninesatin1676]

Extraordinary Saw a marvelous exhibition at the National Gallery of Vermeer years ago. Meet my dear friend at the museum there .................

[@johnprentice1527]

The first time I saw the painting "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" was in 1967 at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. I was mesmerized. I bought a life-size print at the museum shop and it hangs in my art room to this day. I have tried to see every Vermeer exhibition I can when it comes to town. And I am never disappointed.

[@peacenow4456]

Such a story and lust for a Vermeer still exists... Vermeer will always be at the VERY top!

[@elainekinney6186]

Thank you for bringing Vermeer's works to light!

[@stonew1927]

I was just at the Rijks Museum a couple of weeks ago while visiting my sister in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, we weren't able to view this exhibit because it was already sold out. Same to view the Van Gogh Museum. If you plan to visit Amsterdam and want to go to the Van Gogh Museum or view any special exhibitions I advise you check online and purchase tickets ahead of time. The general collection of the Rijks is stunning, nonetheless, and well worth a visit on its own.

[@bzh7648]

I love his work too.

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

LOVE VERMEER--UE OF LIGHT, ETC...

[@dawnmyatt7026]

Thank you for showing this artist!! I fell in love after watching the movie!!

[@louhawk559]

There is 1 vermeer original in my cousins home in gothenburg sweden..

[@loosilu]

There are only 37 in existence. Which one does your cousin own?

[@louhawk559]

@@loosilu this is actually a drawing of a lady by a window somewhat unfinished from what I can remember. I was 13 at the time. I'm 61 and haven't been to Sweden since..its a 7x8 inch piece in a gold frame..

[@loosilu]

@@louhawk559 I hate to be the one to say this, but he doesn't have any known drawings.

[@louhawk559]

@@loosilu well I should inform the family tho maybe there aren't any absolutes in this speculation thank u.... god bless.

[@loosilu]

@@louhawk559 I wish you the best of luck, sincerely!

[@shayekisitu]

Incredibly talented man and such beautiful paintings he produced ❤

[@phillblake6829]

Wounded I will never get to see this as a collection

[@linebing6208]

Sold out in 2 days? They need to do more of this exhibition in other places.

[@loosilu]

Museums do NOT want to give up their Vermeers. It is often the main attraction. It took seven years of negotiation to put this exhibition together.

[@hsmd4533]

I have tickets!

[@linebing6208]

@@hsmd4533 great!

[@Jude74]

I went to a show of his work in Tokyo in 2018. Stunning. Absolutely stunning. The museum in Amsterdam has lent out so many pictures of theirs. It’s about time the favor was returned. I hope I can go before its over.

[@Buttercup697]

agreed! or better to extend the date of this show (it's costly to move around such priceless art)

[@cefcat5733]

Best sense of color by the artist and best video of those colorful artworks. It must have something to do with the location and the angles at which the sun reached the subject matter. The girl is lovely to start with and the lighting and use of it are also very special there. Good luck for the institutions and the shows where these beauties are displayed. Thank you.

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

I went to the Vermeer exhibition. What the glowing reviews (and this video) don't tell you is that the exhibition is far too overcrowded to be really enjoyable. Too many tickets have been sold. Most of the paintings are quite small, and each one is surrounded by a small crowd of people. If you've got your ticket, be prepared for some jostling and get those elbow muscles working.

[@lauraasumaa1121]

I went to Delft to see his home and small museum after reading about him in an art history book. He used very rich colors and camera obsura to paint light/shading and darkness. Went on to the Hague and Amsterdam to look at more Vermeers.

[@loosilu]

is it worth a day trip from Amsterdam? I am going this weekend to see the exhibition.

[@lauraasumaa1121]

Absolutely worth it

[@ingridllinas5612]

Beautiful exhibition. Congratulations for making possible what seemed so difficult to reunite. 28 from 36 is too good to be true. You know. The ones at the Frick are marvelous, so are the ones from the National Gallery in Washington; and all.

[@wyetti]

The way he paints light in his pieces is astonishing in person

[@paulchezkari6952]

I appreciate Sunday Morning, a pleasant break.

[@marycollins1631]

I'd would be honored to see this exhibit. I just recently stubmbled upon one of Vermeers prints and bought it! It will compiment my art gallery wall for years to come.

[@Jean2235177]

Oh what an exhibition of a lifetime! Oh how I wish I could be there.

[@woodenbeast9337]

Great episode

[@peggymcd4939]

Amazing ❤

[@kimthomas781]

Love the Dutch accents

[@Jasper1913iii]

In 1995 I acquired six admission tickets for the National Gallery's exhibit. I used them on six different Thursdays, never leaving until closing time. In May I'll be in Amsterdam, expecting to again be there till closing time.

[@loosilu]

I went to the 1995 exhibition too! and I'm going to Amsterdam Friday evening.

[@hsmd4533]

Me too, i’m going in May!

[@loosilu]

@@hsmd4533 Fanatastic! You might catch some late tulips!

[@loosilu]

@@hsmd4533 Are you in the US? I am in DC. I went to the 1995 exhibition, but at that time I had to drive 7 hours each way!

[@loosilu]

@@hsmd4533 Do you know of any message board for people who are going?

[@fearsomebeard4290]

So moving that I’m in tears.

[@noras.9774]

He is in the top!

[@RamonaL909]

Absolutely awesome

[@nelsonx5326]

The sitter for 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' looked prettier than Scarlet Johansson.

[@janetf23]

'For me, at the top' too👍

[@gapjin-art]

Thank you so much

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

Wow.

[@DAVIDKAYPEARCEJR]

I'm surprised the curator did not mention the Vermeer exhibition created by the National Gallery in Washington DC.

[@hsmd4533]

I have tickets!

[@mygrammieis]

Be A Blessing And and Be Blessed 🦋🙏🏻❤️✌🏻

[@Serai3]

I wonder if there's a catalogue for sale.

[@bonnymcdermott1240]

Incredible!

[@patriciafeeley7997]

The Girl with the Pear Earring

[@ElaineWarakomski-zm7lo]

Thanks Denise I watched this!

[@aesopdemoor7595]

2017 March i Paris , Books do not do Vermeer justice, colours are vivid.

[@triconcert]

He's definitely at the top for me.

[@PrimeStudios]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the documentary "Tim's Vermeer" made by Penn and Teller. It essential shows that Vermeer was the world's first photographer.

[@Bun800]

Yes, this is a great film! So interesting!

[@nondescript2892]

Have you ever seen the David Hockney documentary on the use of the camera obscura by even much earlier masters like Van Eyck ?..the theory isn't new....but it doesn't , for me at least, diminish the art

[@annedwyer797]

Being that the piece was abt Vermeer and the once in a lifetime collection of his work, I think it's appropriate that "Tim's Vermeer" wasn't mentioned.

[@yoli5779]

I wish I had visited, I was longing to go since it was announced, I was an Art History major. Alas, my job doesn’t allow vacations 😞

[@LDVTennis]

Small paintings can be great. I wish contemporary artists would take note. They try to hide their lack of ideas and skill on large canvasses.

[@fishercourt]

❤

[@alexcraig207]

What's the piano piece playing at the end?

[@lbazemore585]

Commentators never talk about how paints were made back in these times. I wish they would.

[@incognito3620]

All artists of history experimented. They were figuring out painting. Oil paint was new. There were no “ proven “ techniques. They had to mix color by grinding it. This is one reason their work is so complex and intricately painted. Experts are still attempting to discover how Rembrandt created his paintings. He reached great wealth but ended up poor. That is another story.

[@adelem432]

I wish that they had mentioned the lost Vermeer, "Storm on the sea of Galilee", stolen 33 years ago yesterday from the Gardner Museum in Boston.

[@Mark-ef4ye]

"The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" was painted by Rembrandt; it was also stolen from the Gardner museum. The Vermeer that was also stolen from the Gardner was "The Concert". Regardless, I agree that they should have mentioned it in this report.

[@loosilu]

I think you mean The Concert.

[@jennifers6435]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@manpok313]

Mantap👌👍✊

[@darrellross8609]

CHECH FOR VANDALS...!

[@MB-ez7lf]

Max

[@elsupremo3651]

Doesn't appear they were able to pry loose The Art of Painting from the kunsthistorisches museum in Vienna. Too bad. C'mon Austria!

[@tigerphid9677]

Artists fall in and out of favor. El Greco's work (his real name was Domenicos Theotokopoulos) was lost for almost 300 years. It was only re-discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and today we revere it and wonder how in the world it could have slid into oblivion.

[@thylacinenv]

Having visited I can tell you it's a massive disappointment, to begin with The Girl with the Pearl Earring is not there, it was returned to The Hague early on. The paintings are divine but is terribly overcrowded, those with the biggest elbows are at an advantage but beware the arm waving "experts" loudly pontificating their knowledge, its a performance. In fairness one was asked to back off as his waving hands were dangerously close to a masterpiece, he was indignantly unimpressed. I managed to see more or less everything because I am tall however shorter people will struggle. I observed various people at the back of clusters waiting patiently only to have people pushing in from the side, I felt the frustration exhibited by those at the back. The Rijksmuseum should have investigated some form of crowd management in order for everyone to enjoy these truly wonderful paintings equally.

[@tylerhulsey982]

Is it heresy to say that the Vermeer is better than the Mona Lisa? I think it is. 😬

[@huberthanks3007]

From her letters, it sounds like Vermeers wife must have nagged him endlessly to get a proper job. Thank God he ignored her as we can all enjoy such masterpieces today.

[@vbelli57]

he made no money on his BILLION dollars of art work !!! sad

[@spencerdawson6536]

Some of these Dutch girls weren’t bad looking. No mention of whether they’re Single or not. Guess they’d be kind of old by now.

[@johannavanderzalm6257]

😅0

[@MilesBellas]

At least one forger was motivated by the fact that artists such as Vermeer, Van Gogh etc... lived in misery.... struggling in poverty ......and are only used as investment "NFTs" post mortem...... The limited number creates the value more than the quality of the art..... in their opinion. ? !!

[@incognito3620]

When Vermeer painted these, they were not considered “ priceless masterpieces.” He, and many other would-be masters were considered no more than common laborers. Like ditch diggers, shoemakers or carpenters. We, today, still do not consider art and artists with much more esteem in America. Tech is king here. One reason is profit. Artists cannot produce ten thousand IPads in a month. Vermeer produced 28 painting and sold from ten to forty dollars in today’s money. He, like his work, was not considered of much value.

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

I hate Jane Pauly's voice as much as I love Vermeer's work👌

[@artsiecrafty4164]

All the 2023 art shows show how modernists defile these works and turn them into degenerate modern art.

[@omicSheep]

Great. Nobody cares......

[@loosilu]

except for the million people who have tried to get tickets.

[@hsmd4533]

No, you don’t care. And nobody cares that you don’t care.

[@s.p.8803]

Lol. It was sold out in a few days and people come from all over the world to see it.