Are these a Pair? Two masterpieces by Johannes Vermeer

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There are two paintings by Johannes Vermeer in the collection of the National Gallery in London. Both are exquisite masterpieces, and both are pictures of women playing a virginal. At some point, the museum started to wonder if they were originally intended as pendants.
In this video, we take a close look at these two paintings. At their compositions, their symbolism and whether or not they were intended as a pair and to be shown together .

[@TheWrightLifeTravelChannel]

Fantastic! Your videos have helped us get so much more out of our travels! We’re headed to the Vermeer exhibit in a couple weeks and are very excited!

[@storiesofart]

Great! Have fun. I am going again tomorrow

[@BereBautista]

"Music is a metaphor of love" aww

[@peacedove1182]

Fascinating!!! I never though they were pendant pieces, but after this analysis it’s seems so obvious. Brilliantly constructed analysis. Love it!!

[@storiesofart]

Thanks!

[@gabriellabaka]

Great job, Carel! AGAIN! :) Thank you.

[@storiesofart]

Thank you too!

[@peppypex]

Thank you so much for another excellent video.

[@storiesofart]

Thanks. So nice of you to say

[@yellowboot6629]

Very....❣️ Thanks

[@storiesofart]

Welcome 😊

[@bev9708]

You are really spoiling us with all these wonderful Vermeer videos recently… is it inspired by the historic Vermeer exhibition current happening at the Rijksmuseum ?? Unfortunately it is totally booked out, or so I read online. I must keep an eye out in case they manage to extend the dates, as unlikely as that probably is!! Have you been Carel ??

[@storiesofart]

Yes, it is in response to the exhibition and some of the new research that has been published because of it. I have been there a few weeks ago, when it just opened as I bought tickets months ago. these things tend to be sold out quickly. the last time they had a big Vermeer exhibition was in 1996. back then it was sold out immediately as well, but by the end of the exhibition, suddenly tickets became available again. So perhaps there is still hope.

[@bev9708]

@@storiesofart 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@nataliakewley]

Thank You 🙏🏻

[@storiesofart]

Thanks for watching so many of my videos!

[@nataliakewley]

@@storiesofart Very interesting presentation . Details that one won’t think about it unless you have been guided as you do . For me your video work as emotional sanctuary. Thank You

[@dealp3316]

Prachtig weer!

[@storiesofart]

Dank!

[@riverwildcat1]

I think you're right that they are pendants, produced as a pair. But as a harpsichord player, I see the older woman as inspecting the instrument, checking the tuning, perhaps. Because nobody plays comfortably standing up. You need to anchor your torso to a chair or bench in order to precisely use your arms and fingers to perform a piece well. Also their gaze draws us in as if they want us to hear the delicate sound of the virginals.

[@storiesofart]

Thank you for that. I had never considered that. It makes more sense that they should be sitting. There is a surprising number of paintings with women standing at their instruments though, and perhaps they too are shown not really playing but trying the keys or something or as you say inspecting the instrument. That could well add a dimension to the picture

[@ednorthup5471]

Excellent material and engaging presentation. How do we contact you regarding booking a tour?

[@storiesofart]

Just let me know in the comments that you are interested. or come to facebook or instagram and message me

[@ednorthup5471]

I sent a message on facebook

[@maniniruiz]

Thanks for the video. Could they be mother and daughter? The floor and skirting board look the same in both pictures. Maybe from the same house.

[@storiesofart]

I have never considered that. It could be, although I don't think they are meant to be portraits. the house, and the skirting board are typically Dutch and veru]y common for the period. He used them in many pictures, andso did other painters. So I wouldn't make to much of that.

[@TheHreel]

Thank you for the video. I would love to see something from you about a da Vinci painting (maybe NOT the obvious one). I think there is so much that can be said, because every painting he made is quite unique.

[@storiesofart]

Yes, that is a really good suggestion. I always hesitate to talk about him as there is so much to say, it is hard to figure out where to begin. But I should really make a couple of videos about him

[@TheHreel]

@@storiesofart Maybe you could talk about the paintings, which aren't discussed that often. You see a lot about the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper or the Lady with an Ermine but there is so much to say about the other paintings. Talking about the less discussed works might also be an easier approach to Leonardo. I would suggest the Annunciation, the portrait of Ginevra de Benci, the Virgin of the Rocks or The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. The Annunciation could be a good start. It appears to be his earliest work, it is absolutely beautiful in detail and atmosphere and it is not surrounded by so many myths.

[@dojo3175]

I don't know how this channel isn't huge, you make the subject really interesting and entertaining. Only thing I'd suggest is to use a different intro song, maybe something more "classical" to go with the subject. The current one doesn't really go with the tone of the videos. Thanks for a great channel!

[@storiesofart]

Thanks for that feedback. you are right. the music isn't quite right, but I have not yet found anything else that is suitable. If you have a suggestion, I would love to hear it

[@cindyoverall8139]

These two were ones that were painted by Maria, his daughter. Proof of this is the Portrait of a Young Girl is most obviously done by the master. The same girl at the same age is the second one you discuss. It is also obviously painted by an amateur using the mirror/camera method. Vermeer had no students so it is now coming to light that his favorite, Maria was the probable author. Both of these paintings plus the Guitar Player and 3 others look like Paint by Number which equates that method. The National Gallery in DC is claiming that one of theirs is questionable.

[@judycoster7184]

I disagree about the one with the older woman, the card is blank, she's pale and I believe alone without a lover. The other one is youth and the idea of a lover can be quite exciting. The painting behind her is apparent but painted to be very subtle as though the excitement of the brothel might be on her mind. Or the fear of it, but she does not appear to be afraid!