Johannes Vermeer and the Absent Subject
Johannes Vermeer’s paintings might be considered typical of the ‘Dutch Golden Age’. Yet, compared with his contemporaries’ works, Vermeer’s serene interiors seem oddly different. This particular difference has preoccupied scholars since the ‘rediscovery’ of Vermeer in the 19th Century and will be the focus for our enquiry into his work. Is Vermeer’s subject the merry couple enjoying wine and music; the elegant furnishings; or is it the light and shadow which suffuses every detail and creates tonal nuances? The lecture will review the various interpretations of Vermeer’s art and consider the circumstances that may have influenced him in his day.
Dates and Locations
Friday 27 February 2026 Mornington Peninsula (VIC)
Monday 2 March 2026 Hobart (TAS)
Friday 6 March 2026 Brisbane River (QLD)
Monday 9 March 2026 Northern Rivers (NSW)
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