"Peanut Gallery"

 

 

10 x 10"

oil on panel

Showcased in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam hangs the extraordinary painting by Rembrandt, Syndics of the Drapers' Guild painted in 1662.

The "drapers" were elected to rate the quality of cloth that weavers offered for sale to the members of their guild.  These dudes accessed the textiles three times a week and had a 1-year term in office. They commissioned Rembrandt's group portrait, which hung in their hall for nearly 100 years.

You may recognize the painting used on the packaging of Dutch Masters cigars.

 

 

My painting is included in the upcoming group show Looking Forward opening July 2nd at Robert Lange Studios.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase/contact information.

"Milkin' It"

 

 

8 x 12"

oil on panel

sold

The next time you're lucky enough to stand in front of an original painting by Johannes Vermeer, imagine yourself, in 1657 in the Netherlands.  You're standing behind the artist as he's painting in his studio on the top floor of a nice townhouse and the only lighting is the blue daylight coming through a window and the candles lighting his palette and canvas.  Their maid, an older, sturdier woman poses beside the window, seemingly unaware of the viewer, pouring milk in a ceramic bowl with stale bread used as props on the table.  Nothing fancy.  Just a domestic woman doing her everyday chores.

The Milkmaid is one of Vermeer's most-famous paintings - one of a few that survived a fire. And lucky for us.  Vermeer appreciated light like no other artist of his time.  The woman against the white wall, the glimmer of white on the stream of milk being poured, the left side of her face and clothing lit as the rest recedes into shadows.  And his details.  Right down to the nails in the wall and seeds on the loaf of bread.  Just wow.

The Milkmaid has traveled all over the globe and is currently back home at the Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam.  Thanks go to Cindy Pronk, a photographer who lives in Holland and offered her original photo for a painting reference during this time when traveling and museum visits have been put on hold. I really appreciate the generosity of others.

Please click here for a larger view.