The first work I might buy a postcard of is one called "The Inauguration of King Willem II in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam" by the painter Nicholas Pieneman.
This incredible historic scene was oil painted in 1840, and features, as the name suggests, the inauguration of King Willem II in Amsterdam. The painting itself is a mid-sized painting standing at 46.5 cm (18.3 in) high and 55.5 cm (21.85 in) tall. I like this painting in particular simply because of the gran scale of the scene depicted. Though not every face in the crowd is detailed, you can still see the sheer number of people in that room, and you can almost imagine the energy and that this event is creating.
Next, I would have to pick the work "View of Houses in Delft, known as The Little Street" by one Johannes Vermeer in 1658.
This oil painting depicts what seems to be a quiet "Little Street" in the city of Delft, showing an everyday life image of these people. The painting's size comes in at 54.3 cm (21.3 in) high and 44 cm (17.3 in) wide. For me, the height of the painting adds to its glory. The tall buildings appear taller against the visible sky, and the people small in perspective. It is a simple, yet homely picture, which is why I like it.
Lastly, a painting by Willem van de Velde (II) called "A Ship at Sea in Violent Storm, known as 'The Gust of Wind,'" oil painted in the year 1680.
The dimensions of this work are 77 cm (30.3 in) high by 63.5 cm (25 in) wide. This painting depicts two ships, on larger and one smaller vessel, out at sea during a very violent storm. I love the energy resonating out of this picture. The dark clouds combined with the raging waters and the bobbing ships makes this painting feel like a picture taken from reality. It is dark but lively and exciting, and it almost entertaining to just stare at.
Those are the three works that I would most likely purchase postcards of out of the many works I looked at in the archive at the Rijksmuseum.
What a fantastic set of choices. I find it fascinating how in such a huge class I have yet to see any repeats in choices. Each blog I sift through looking for post to comment on I always take at least a quick look at this post. Every time I have been greeted by 3 new pieces of art. However to track more onto the content, amazing analysis of all 3 of these pieces. Particularly your comments on "A Ship at Sea in Violent Storm, known as 'The Gust of Wind,'". Your word choice in describing the energy and tension only drew me more into the piece. After reading this I actually want to go back and sift more through the Rijksmuseum because I clearly missed some interesting pieces of work.
ReplyDeleteYou have an interesting perspective regarding the "View of Houses in Delft, known as The Little Street" by Vermeer. I did notice that the painting looked calm, like t was a typical Tuesday spring morning and everyone in town was about their business. However, I did not notice attentively the building perspective that added the mood to this painting until you emphasized it. The buildings add an "antique" effect because they are clearly aged and the women look as if they are sowing. This picture looks as if it was a picture because it offers the viewpoints of all the objects and people that are in the picture.
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