Visual & Performance Arts

Woman Holding a Balance by Jan Vermeer

Jan Vermeer 's painting of Woman Holding a Balance is concentrated on a young woman holding an empty pair of weighing scales . The woman was probably intended to weigh the precious materials present on the table such as gold coins and pearls . However , if a viewer would look closely on the painting , it seems more than what it is . The presence of the jewels , the painting of the Last Judgment on the far wall and the mirror facing the woman on the left wall , indicate that

it has an allegorical meaning . The contrast between the valuable objects on the table which signifies worldly concerns , the Last Judgment that shows biblical event of judgment , the scales that represent justice , the light coming from the window suggests spiritual enlightenment and the mirror that expresses conceitedness , were incorporated to remind the viewer of the importance of resisting the temptation of material things and living moderately in to obtain salvation . The calmness of the young woman 's expression which is often compared to the image of the Virgin Mary indicates that she is capable of living according to these principles ( Vermeer ' 2008

The variations of soft light , dark shadings and the color harmony contributed to the refinement of the scene : the woman 's blue jacket accentuates the materials on the table , while the color of the curtain on the left echoes the the orange and yellow color on the woman 's stomach and in the verticals of the picture frame on the far wall . The combination of the woman 's concentrated facial feature and the strict geometrical composition created by the light entering from the window gave the painting an exquisite sophistication . Overall , Vermeer emphasized to his viewers the need to live a balanced life by using these elements and the unique distribution of the areas of light and shade to convert them into verticals to produce a scene that conveys the feeling of a timeless truth (Vergara , 2003 ,

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References

National Gallery of Art (2008 . Vermeer . Retrieved February 28 , 2008 from http /www .nga .gov /feature /vermeer /symbols1 .shtm

Vergara , A (2003 . Vermeer and the Dutch Interior . Paul Holberton

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