Posted on 08/31/2021 4:32:37 PM PDT by simpson96
A years-long restoration undertaken by the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden has entirely altered the understanding of a 17th-century painting by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. What was once thought to be a somewhat glum depiction of a young girl reading near a window is now an amorous portrayal thanks to the unveiling of a naked Cupid hanging in the background.
Conservators knew the image of the Roman god of love existed after a 1979 X-ray, although it was assumed that Vermeer had altered the piece himself. Only after they performed a series of infrared reflectography imagings, microscopic analyses, and X-ray fluorescence examinations in 2017 did they realize that the Cupid was covered decades after the painter’s death, even though they still aren’t sure who marred the original piece or when. This dramatic of an alteration is rare during restoration, considering standard processes generally involve simple cleaning and repairs.
“When layers of varnish from the 19th century began to be removed from the painting, the conservators discovered that the ‘solubility properties’ of the paint in the central section of the wall were different to those elsewhere in the painting,” a statement says, explaining further:
Following further investigations, including tests in an archaeometry laboratory, it was discovered that layers of binding agent and a layer of dirt existed between the image of Cupid and the overpainting. The conservators concluded that several decades would have passed between the completion of one layer and the addition of the next and therefore concluded that Vermeer could not have painted over the Cupid himself.
The new restoration—dive into the lengthy process in the video below—is just one of the mysteries that’s surrounded “Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window” since its creation between 1657–59.
(Excerpt) Read more at thisiscolossal.com ...
Prudes and Karens even back then.
Almost as good as a Hunter Biden rendering.
Physical bowdlerization...
That's totally unfair! How's a rube like Vermeer to possibly compare to a grandmaster like Hunter Biden.
I get the symbolism, but I think it makes the composition too busy. I liked that wall with just the light.
Wait... are they trying to say that critical thought led to new understanding that overturned conventional wisdom?
This can’t be. My government says those who question conventional wisdom are terrorists.
/s
It’s amazing that they could do that, even though I don’t care for the cupid in it.
Better composition without the cupid
Somebody aughta shop a MAGA hat on that cupid...
This is vandalism.
Wish the video was in English.
I like the yellower tone on the walls
The cupid could have been kept hidden, I guess....But the rest of the restoration gives it back the famous ‘light’ of a Vermeer. It’s still fantastic.
This is interesting. Was she supposed to be reading a letter from the love of her life?
I notice there is another Vermeer with what looks like the exact same Cupid painting in the background.
Without the Cupid, she may as well have been reading a bill.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.