Masters in art Volume 5; a series of illustrated monographs by Books Group

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 ... next it which the girl holds in her hand. That this picture, which Burger considers "in composition, in character, in drawing, and in color wholly Rembrandtesque," is strikingly unlike Vermeer's later conversation pieces, is clear at a glance. Strong and vigorous it certainly is, supple in technique, and harmonious in its color-scheme; but those exquisite effects of light, that exceeding delicacy of touch, that indescribably subtle blending of colors, characteristic of Vermeer's more mature works, are not apparent here. It has often been called the artist's masterpiece; may it not rather be regarded, as a recent critic, Dr. Alfred Peltzer, has suggested, as the bold and somewhat extravagant work of an exceptionally gifted young artist, who painted this masterly study of life-sized figures in all the exuberance of his as yet not wholly developed talent? The picture is on canvas and measures four feet eight inches high by four feet three inches wide. YOUNG WOMAN READING A LETTER PLATE VIII IN this picture in the Ryks Museum, Amsterdam, Vermeer has painted one of his characteristically simple subjects. A young woman seen in profile, and wearing a loose sack of light blue silk and a greenish gray skirt, is absorbed in reading a letter as she stands before a table covered with blue drapery. Two chairs and a large map hanging on a sunlit wall complete the scene. Time has greatly injured the painting, which has suffered also from overcleaning, but its cool, tender tone of coloring, the peculiar bluish atmospheric effect, and the wonderful lighting of the canvas entitle it to a high place among Vermeer's works. It measures a little over one foot and a half high by one foot three inches wide. ALADY AT A SPINET' PLATE IX THIS picture in the National Gal...