The Lacemaker by Johannes Vermeer depicts a young woman in deep concentration as she focuses on the intricate work before her.The line of her gaze and arms draw attention to the lace as the painting’s focal point. This painting makes incredible use of light and color to capture the intimacy of the moment. Light streams in from the right side of the painting from an unseen source. It highlights the girl’s check and forehead, which casting a shadow across the rest of her face. The light hits her fingers, highlighting her work. There are small dots of reflected light one the tools in the girl’s hand as well as the tools and material beside her. These spots of light have led some art historians to suggest that Vermeer used a camera obscura to make this painting, though it is more likely he was simply familiar with the effects of the apparatus. By emphasizing the girl’s work, the viewer begins to focus on the work just as the girl. In a way, the lacework becomes a moment shared between the viewer and the girl. The use of color in this painting draws further attention to the girl and her lace, while simultaneously creating a barrier between the viewer and the girl. Blue and yellow feature most prominently throughout the work. The pale blue…show more content… Vermeer is able to achieve this balance through his masterful use of color and light throughout this painting. The lace may be a shared moment between the viewer and the girl, but it shared from a distance.
Object Text:
Time seems to stand still in The Lacemaker by Johannes Vermeer as a young woman focuses intently on the intricate work before her. The specks of light that highlight her work draw the viewer into a shared moment as both the viewer and young woman concentrate on the lacework. The moment is shared at a distance, however, as the dark shadow across the blue pillow and table act as a barrier, preventing the viewer from fully reaching the young
