Class Distinctions, a photo from Massachusetts, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Yesterday evening we attended an exhibition at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts dedicated to “Class Distinctions: Dutch Paintings in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer.”

Organized by the museum, this groundbreaking exhibition proposes a new approach to understanding 17th-century Dutch painting. Through 75 carefully selected, beautifully preserved portraits, genre scenes, landscapes and seascapes borrowed from European and American public and private collections — including masterpieces never before seen in the United States — the show reflects, for the first time, the ways in which paintings represent the various socioeconomic groups of the new Dutch Republic, from the Princes of Orange to the most indigent.

Class distinctions had meaning and were expressed in the type of work depicted (or the lack thereof), costumes, a figure’s comportment and behavior, and his physical environment. Arranged according to 17th-century ideas about social stratification, paintings by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Pieter de Hooch, Gerard ter Borch and Gabriel Metsu, are divided broadly into three classes—upper, middle and lower. Nobles, merchants, and milkmaids are among the figures in the thematic groupings, reflecting the social order of the new Dutch Republic. Although there were only two small paintings by Vermeeer, and an equal number by Rembrandt, their names were the most important in the collection of 17th-century Dutch artists — hence the name of the exhibition.

The two young people appear standing at the door stoop, ready to enter the world of the Dutch Golden Age, the 17th century. The featured painting seen here is the “Street Musicians at the Door,” painted in 1665 by Jacob Ochtervelt. For the spontaneous snapshot I used my iPhone 6 Plus. I am placing this shot in the group theme Pictures at an Exhibition II, where I welcome others "to hang" photos with similar themes.

The foregoing information is from the website of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MFA. The boy in the yellow shirt appeared eight years ago in Young Connoisseur I, and both children appeared 4 1/2 years ago in Young Connoisseurs.

macjake, daddo, CLODO, snunney, ikeharel, jhm, holmertz, PiotrF, bukitgolfb301, Graal, adores, papagolf21, ourania, annjackman, jean113 ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

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macjake (98262) 2015-12-03 16:38

Hi Bulent
I really enjoyed that note.
Felt like I was really there in the Museum reading the information on the wall beside the artwork.

better still, i like the juxtaposition between the real life people and the people in the artwork.
its as if they're related, or relating to each other through body position and body language.

very interesting scene, nice shot
cheers
Craig

daddo (28748) 2015-12-03 20:31

Merhaba Bulent. I love the trick of the eye here with the tiled floor extending onto the gallery floor so that the two children and we ourselves are inside the 17th century home with the obviously rich owners, while outside, the city street is clearly visible and the wandering minstrels are hoping for a generous reward for their musical interlude.The little girl seems excited and the minstrels' hopes are that her enthusiasm will rub off on the adults.Meanwhile the interlopers are beguiled by the whole scene. Clever "stage"management to draw the visitors' interest.And from your side, excellent moment and POV. Best wishes. Klaudio.

CLODO (45116) 2015-12-04 0:23

Hi Bulent

Nice one, mixing the real life and a painting, the cloth soft colors are in accordance, the 2 young children seem to hesitate before entering into the painting
My best regards
CLODO

snunney (130967) 2015-12-04 2:25

Hello Bulent,
Interesting juxtaposition between the casually dressed visitors and the formally attired subjects of the painting who seem joined together by the tiled floor that extends in the alcove. Such class distinctions still exist in the world today of course, at least in some cultures.

jhm (211734) 2015-12-04 4:47

Hello Dear Bulent,

Thank you very much for your interesting notes.
Rembrandt and Vermeer, the two Dutch painters with great name and fame.
It's a wonderful painting.
Lovely composition and excellent presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

holmertz (102066) 2015-12-04 7:23

Hello Bülent,
Poor children, being dragged to exhibitions all their lives....
Just joking, their sensibilities and understanding of the world could only benefit from being exposed to so much art ever since small childhood. While this photo is not entirely perfect I like it very much for the illusion that the modern children are standing in the same room as the painted persons. The sign above describes the show but could also illustrate the class distinctions between modern people and those from hundreds of years ago.
"The age of..." seems to indicate that Rembrandt and Vermeer were not personally represented here.
Kind regards,
Gert

ikeharel (112521) 2015-12-04 7:50

Hello Bulent,
There is almost a 3D effect when looking at this photo from a 2 steps backwards from the screen.
Interesting reading about the event and the description of the scene.
Lovely photo, well collected.
Ike

PiotrF (54246) 2015-12-04 16:31

Hello Bulent,
Interesting information about Dutch art.The composition is very nice, great composiition and details.Thank you for the detailed and interesting notes.
Nice presentation.
Regards
Piotr

mjw364 (1466) 2015-12-05 7:50

Hello Bulent

A nicely composed image that actually makes the observers appear to be part of the scene painted. It has a peculiar 3D quality about since the observers create a feeling of depth between themselves and the visitors to the house in the scene. Nicely observed.

Interesting that the Dutch chose to hand pick images that represent the issue of class. If anybody is hung up about class it is the increasingly anachronistic ideologues who currently hold political power in the UK, who are hell bent on taking us back to the 18th century in this country with the absolute focus on austerity at all costs.

Maybe the Dutch are making the point about today's polarisation of classes and the ever increasing inequality in a subtle way. I'm not aware of (m)any artists today who focus on such issues so perhaps it is one way that the art world can put it back on the agenda perhaps.

Have a nice weekend and thanks for your kind comments.

Cheers

Mike

mesutilgim (0) 2015-12-06 14:18

Selam dear Bülent Bey,
This is what I much appreciate in arts exhibitions in USA. That visitors are often part of the exhibited artworks. And you have perfectly managed it to show us "this" photographycally.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2015-12-07 20:31

Hi dear Bullent

Vert tatsy image. The boder line of the painting and gallary is obscure--, very appealing image at all. Warm light and color touch is very very comfortable to see. Thier seriouness is also heartwaming.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

Graal (103040) 2015-12-08 8:26

Hello Bulent,
interesting place and informations. Unusually these figures look as if taken out from the pictures of the Dutch artists. Good vertical composition by visitant persons. Very well done photo.
Have a nice evening.
Aleksander

adores (46979) 2015-12-08 16:13

Hi Bulent!
They have really wonderful paintings and the exhibition must be worth a good visit. I like this composition, almost hard to separate the painting from reality, looks almost a 3D.

papagolf21 (152605) 2015-12-10 23:51

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Très bonne prise de vue. La posture des jeunes contemplant les peintures est remarquable.
Un très bon choix de composition. L'on dirait presque que les jeunes font partie du tableau.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ourania (51103) 2015-12-11 11:12

Hello Bulent,
the exhibition is definitely interesting, and your spontaneous capture is an effective way to present it. There are three different spaces united in your picture and the connection between the real and the painted people is very intriguing. The visitors aren't just appreciating the art, they seem to be watching the scene, waiting to see what will happen next. Colours and atmosphere are very delightful. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely weekend,
Ourania

Tigerlily (3381) 2015-12-12 23:11

Morning Bulent,
Wonderfully taken image and interesting painting.it reminded me of a painting in York art gallery. There is painting is about Founding museum with a Thomas Coram portrait by William Hogarth in it...The original portrait of Coram by Hogarth is in Founding hospital, it's a kind painting with painting in it..
Have a good day!
Jasmine.

lousat (138683) 2015-12-13 2:19

Hi Bulent,interesting way to take something from this exhibition,beautiful perspective with a nice 3D effect,i like the contrast between the clothes of old people on the peinture and the modern guys,very good quality too as usual.Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

annjackman (23019) 2015-12-13 11:01

Hello Bulent,
AS ever you note is very informative and I enjoyed reading it. I like the way that modern day people seem to be almost part of the painting. Cleverly observed and taken.
Kind Regards, Ann

jean113 (27639) 2015-12-14 5:06

Hello Bulent, a very imaginative entrance to the exhibition, and made even more interesting by the presence of the two visitors.
Your title, borrowed from the exhibition fits the bill perfectly.
It sounds like an excellent collection to visit and enjoy.I hope that you enjoyed it?
Regards Jean.