The Young Vermeer
The Hague, Mauritshuis
May 12 – Aug 22, 2010
Dresden, Old Masters Picture Gallery
Sept 3– Dec 28, 2010
Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland
end of 2010 – Feb. 2011
Although Vermeer’s art has been consecrated by numerous special exhibitions for decades, until now, no single exhibition has focused on the myriad questions of painter’s artistic formation and early works. Hence, The Young Vermeer, which will travel from The Hague to Edinburgh and lastly to Dresden, will be the first chance to view Vermeer’s formative early works in close proximity and shall no doubt will be a milestone in Vermeer studies. All three venues feature Vermeer’s Diana and her Companions, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary and The Procuress. These three works have been completely restored so they can be appreciated in all their youthful intensity. The Dresden venue will also comprise their Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window.
An exhibition catalogue will provide visitors with in-depth investigation to this subject by distinguished experts of Dutch art.
The Dresden venue of the exhibition seems to be particularly rich. An ambitious educational project, based on recent investigations of the Dresden Vermeer Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window will include a full-scale, scientifically elaborated reconstruction of the room represented in this early masterpiece. The reconstruction will to be presented to the public next week. A website, currently under construction but already rather promising, will further explore Vermeer’s masterpiece.
Moreover, the educational project includes a 20-minute film which focused on the early Vermeer paintings and the Dresden paintings (The Procuress and Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window). Numerous lectures during are planned as well as an anthology, comprehending short literary texts by different authors dealing with the Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window.
Due to its uniqueness, the Young Vermeer exhibition has already begun to stir international attention assuring widespread interest. As details come available, they will be reported on the Flying Fox.