Unexpected Views: Hélène Binet on Vermeer's 'Young Woman Standing at a Virginal' | National Gallery

Photographer Hélène Binet talks through how she takes inspiration from the use of light and perspective in Johannes Vermeer's 'A Young Woman standing at a Virginal', as part of our Unexpected Views series.
Due to the lighting in Room 16, there is some strobing throughout the video.
Unexpected Views are monthly conversations between our curators and some of the most important cultural practitioners of today. This talk is hosted by curator Daniel Herrmann. Find out more: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ev...
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
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[@strzyzenierzemieslnikow4082]

The "Unexpected Views" series is amazing. I love hearing all the the different perspectives

[@kevinchambers1101]

I didn't know what to expect, but what a wonderful presentation, what an insight into what the original artist may have been thinking through a contemporary artist.

[@dominiccrabtree]

An excellent talk I will look at Helene's photographs with interest as Vermeer is one of my favourite artists

[@stalkek]

The question about the time element for some reason brings to mind Aldous Huxley's description of the portrait element of Vermeer's paintings as "human still-lives."

[@ricardodemattos8490]

Thank you, Mrs Binet.

[@normanstratford9329]

The woman did not expand on intellectual space and it would have been better to compare her photographs with the interior. It is true that Vermeer has a light source that enters the room and that the light hit the person in the room. He picked up the details that make the image more magical. The symbols also are full of meaning which the curator has touched upon, but did not expand much on the card which the Cupid is holding.

[@williambo5989]

11:26 skip intro

[@onderunal6496]

I have got the orginal el greco 's table . what do you say

[@sictransitgloriamundi7590]

😉👍

[@redcardinal1219]

Very beautiful a dialogue!

[@terryfrancis7639]

Sorry but the banding on the video is bad & not up to the standard worthy of The name of The National Gallery. 😔

[@nationalgallery]

Hi Terry, unfortunately the strobing comes from the lighting in this particular room which we are unable to stop, even when editing the video. We hope you are still able to enjoy the video in spite of that!

[@terryfrancis7639]

The National Gallery maybe consider moving pictures to a room that doesn’t have these issues, you must be aware of these issues before. Very distracting & sadly I can not view a video that is 30+ minutes long with the strobing. 😟

[@cecilefox9136]

Couldn´t watch because of strobing!

[@mikeliteras9128]

Just another attempt trying to conflate art (painting) with photography. How is this done? By making your comments as 'nebulous' as possible. I'm always of the opinion that the hardest work in photography has already been done by the likes of Nikon, Canon and Sony.

[@goodboybuddy1]

There’s something‘mechanical’ about the special relationships in Vermeer. The lines of connection in perspective are a little too perfect.

[@hansolo2121]

goodoyuddy1 Vermeer used a simple pin and wire to make is perspective frame. Like any other painter did at that time. Vermeer was just better at creating the illusion of perspective and depth than most and also more 'sober' in his execution. That is why Vermeer is so renowned at this time. Vermeer emphasized the lines in his compositions more than any other painter at that time. He wanted to invite us in the space instead of looking at it. The same can actually be said about the girl with a pearl earring. And that painitng does not even have any perspective lines at all. Only composition, beauty, simplicity and light. If you find that defining 'Vermeer style' too perfect ... well that is your opinion. Many find it not 'too perfect' but just 'perfect'. Everyone has his or her own taste in art... Maybe you have your own favourite painter who made very different art than Vermeer?

[@davidvanderveer5882]

Why that painting and not the one next to it? Vermeer's at the Met are better, sorry. I am your first comment? Her accent is a little put offish!

[@nicklopez8517]

Why is she going on about herself?

[@rupertprawnworthy758]

didn't you watch the introduction?

[@PeterPaul175]

Lots of words, most of which have no meaning or value or insight whatsoever.

[@pastorflaps6819]

Hope there's a fair balance of men and women as the political correctness crap has started to affect the gallery of late

[@NickPenlee]

I have to agree with the poster Wattana Bo. One 1/3rd of this video is apportioned to Helene Binet and her photographic style. It's only at 11 minute + that we focus on the painting; her appraisal seems bland and rather generic. Any public visitor to the NG would have been equally adept at proffering a critique of Vermeer's work! Quote from intro: - "Photographer Helene Binet talks through how she takes inspiration from the use of light and perspective in Vermeer's ..." Outside of her own family I ask the question WHO CARES! 99% of viewers probably have never heard of her prior to this. I'm afraid the gallery has been rather mediocre in its content of late and should have focused its energy on the subject matter rather than enlightening us to the fact that Binet's husband is Dutch; again WHO CARES!!

[@hansolo2121]

NickPenlee Binet mentioned that her husand is Dutch ... once. She also mentioned that she grew up in Rome. Ans she mentioned that she came to live in London. Should she have not mentioned any of these things about her personal life? What is your problem anyway?