Holy smokes! Vermeer’s master piece, with clear haloing around the subject!
Still, pretty decent work given the state of sharpening algorithms in the 1700s.
Incidentally, the second shot was taken with my phone inches away from the painting. the docent politely but firmly explained that that was much much too close. Which of course I ought to have known!
Related: I had the privilege of seeing a ton of renaissance, medieval and baroque paintings at the Uffizi and the Galleria Borghese a few weeks ago and it opened my eye to painting. I already appreciated it “digitally” but seeing these masterpieces in real life is a complete different experience. There is this odd contrast and depth that you don’t really see with photography, video or other visual arts, it was very eye opening and I’m yearning to see more My favourite was Botticelli’s and various wood pannels(the contrast was glorious)
Absolutely! I expected the paintings to be better in person, but not in such a fundamental way. The textures and subtle (and not so subtle) colour gradations were otherworldly in a way just hinted at in books and websites. It hit me in a visceral, emotional way. And then, hours later, in a physical way, mostly in my aching feet
I have a couple of rather expensive books with prints. But these prints don’t get anywhere near to the experience when you see the original in the museum. The issue with the haloing was not on my mind though. This should be checked for other paintings too.
My favourite was Botticelli’s and various wood pannels(the contrast was glorious)