Model Shots

Drawings

Project 2 - Room and Narrative: 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' - Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer – A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window.

"Vermeer's genius was in probing those moments in life when one feels alone and immersed in one's thoughts. His are essentially private works, invitations to pause and partake of the quiet intimacy of the scene. Almost as in poetry, he suggests moods and attitudes in his figures that are recognizable yet not precisely defined. In this painting a girl stands in a corner of a room before an open window, her thoughts are totally absorbed in the letter she is reading. The walls, curtains, and table define the physical limits of her space; the reflection of her image in the glass emphasizes the inner nature of her thoughts. Her world is still."

-Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr., Jan Vermeer, 1981

In the technique, the artist avows again Rembrandtesque derivation. He paints in small fatty dabs to model the forms, and obtains the desired effects by means of impasto highlights opposed to the deeper tonalities - just as the master from Leyden was wont to do. The painting is relatively large, and the smallness of the figure as opposed to its surroundings stresses immateriality and depersonalization. Vermeer considerably changed the composition in the course of execution.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_reading_a_Letter_at_an_Open_Window

Narrative and Activity

‘A young, suffering woman awaits the return of a distant lover whilst reflecting on past memories.’

The room is a peaceful sanctuary for a beautiful, young girl who has just received depressing news from a distant lover. The young woman is completely absorbed by the letter and the picture portrays a very dead and sombre atmosphere. This is emphasised by the feeling of confinement that her surroundings give her. The walls, table and curtain seems to limit her personal space but the window gives a sense of hope to the solemn picture.

The staggered and irregular form of my building reflects the feelings of confusion and disarray the woman is feeling. The series of confined, personal spaces emphasise the loneliness she feels and make the activity of ‘waiting’ even harder as the spaces she is held to are very detaining.

Site
The small building will be located in The Netherlands along the Noord-Holland Utrecht on top of a hill. The scene is set during an autumn afternoon. The house will be isolated from other buildings and focus solely on the valley below.

Windows
The windows and skylights in my building all face the same way. This brings focus to the site in front of the house where the man the woman awaits will be arriving from. The windows also provide a sense of hope for the lady.