HoA&D_assignment 3

For the history of art and design assignment 3,
i had chosen to analysed the artwork called
"WOMEN HOLDING A BALANCE" by the artist called Jan Vermeer.

this artwork was painted using oil paint on white canvas on year 1662-1665.
and the painting was painted in a small size which is 42.5x38 cm.
this artwork now located at The National Gallery, Washington.


The main subject matter in this painting was the woman who standing in front of a table and holding a balance with her right hand.
And behind the woman, hanging a artwork called The Last Judgement[drawn by Jacob de Backer, 1580].
Due to the research of the artists , they state that the balance holding by the women was empty.
So, this painting shows that the women is weighing spiritual more than the real material like pearl or gold that we can see on the table.
Besides, there was another question we can ask in this painting.
Do the woman pregnant?
 After research and interpretation, most people conclude that the woman did no pregnant.
The woman looks like pregnant was because of her attire.
The yellow garment skirt wearing by the woman was consider as the trend in 18th century Dutch culture.
the skirt made the women look more like pregnant.


The colour tone used by Jan Vermeer in this painting is more towards cool colours.
The colour used created a feeling of calm for the artwork.
And the artist also use shallow space in this artwork to create intimacy of he woman with the background.


A few principals of art also found in this artwork which made this artwork more realistic and harmony.
After i analysed this artwork, i had learn a lot of knowledge which not only element or principal of art,
and also some Dutch culture and Jan Vermeer drawing style.


I really hope that i can use all this knowledge in my final to score well in the examination.