Description
“Woman holding a balance” is a Dutch painting created by Johannes Vermeer in the year 1664. The painting depicts the presence of a lady in a room holding a balance in her hand. The room is filled with only light entering through the small vent in the curtains hanging in front of the window. An opened jewelry box is kept on the extendable table which is represented several times in various Dutch paintings. A similar art of work like the table in this painting can be found in “A man Weighing Gold” painted by Cornelis de Mann in the year 1670. There is a mirror facing the lady. Three different containers lie open on the table and the largest jewel box has a red velvet lining and from this box, a gold chain hangs over the lid of the box and there is a pearl necklace lying on the table. Behind the woman, there is the portrait of “Last Judgment” hanging on the wall. This painting is considered to be the work of Jacob de Backer created in 1580. The woman is wearing a jacket which is typically worn by middle and upper-class women lined with fur and worn during the long Dutch winters. Although the woman appears to be pregnant, Marieke de Winkel an expert on the history of the costumes thinks that pregnancy was not a common subject of Dutch art for the corresponding period. It may be that the Dutch fashions of mid 17th century contained a bulky silhouette that is depicted in this painting (Bollandt, 2001).
Analysis of Composition
The painting marks the striking contrast between darkness and light. This is exhibited in the darkness in the room, shadows appearing and the sunlight entering the room through the small opening in the curtain. The fabric on the woman’s clothing and the tiles on the floor also reflect the mood of this contrast. The curtain symbolically represents the light which is warmer in tone. The vibrant warm tone of the curtain is echoed by the two vertical stripes colored in gold of the frame of the “Last Judgment” portrait. This sets off the deep blues which is predominant overall in the composition of the painting. The deep blue table cloth massed over the table is another object which provides a counterpoint to the severe geometric framework of the composition with its meandering folds.
Interpretation
The woman’s face gives rise to the idea that she is lost in thought. She gazes peacefully at the balance which she holds in her hand which is empty, even though objects are lying on the table. The eyes of the woman point downwards which normally would represent a depressive mood. However, the slight upturn of the corner of her lips and absence of any frowning in her face conveys a sense of assurance and contentment. She appears to be confident about the future and the light entering the room appears to represent a symbolic reference to her spiritual enlightenment. Although the expression of the woman is serious, it also depicts a calm mood. The fact that the balance is empty signifies that the woman is weighing something serious and more important in her life than the jewelry from the open box. If the two pans of the balance are taken as good and evil, it may be that she is confronted in a critical situation in her life where she may have to come to some decision sooner or later considering the good and bad elements of the decision. This idea is further compounded by the fact that the portrait “Last Judgment” is hanging behind her on the wall. The woman also appears to have ignored the mirror in front of her which fact also strengthens this idea.
Evaluation
This painting features many right angles and geometric compositions except for the blue table cloth. The asymmetrical cross can be drawn across the painting which will divide the painting into four segments and all of these segments appear to be busier and at the same time depicts a sense of spaciousness. With the illumination over the face of the woman, her face becomes the first object one notices while looking at the painting. When a composition line is drawn from the left corner to the bottom right, it will connect the dark shadow and sunlight. Another line drawn in the opposite direction would connect the sloping bottom of the blue table cloth and the nose of the woman through the woman’s right arm. The cross-section where these two composition lines meet will attract the center point of the observer where the balance is drawn in the painting. This appears to agree with the overall meaning in the painting as it appears to signify the equilibrium and contrast between darkness and light. This also represents the confidence depicted by the posture of the woman.
Reference
Bollandt. (2001). Woman Holding a Balance. Web.