Vermeer’s Women portrayed looking out directly at the viewer

Most of Vermeer’s paintings are never depicted looking out directly at the viewer. In fact, only three of his paintings portray women looking out at the viewer. This is the case of Lady Standing at a Virginal, A Lady Writing and the Lady Seated at a Virginal.

Lady standing at a Virginal

Lady Seated at a Virginal

A Lady Writing

Most of his contemporaries never depicted women looking out at the viewer and, only Gabriel Metsu in his painting Woman writing a Letter represents the woman looking out at the viewer as she writes. In this case, it is said that he was probably influenced by the Vermeer’s A Lady Writing.

Gabriel Metsu’s Woman writing a Letter

 

References:

• Essential Vermeer. The complete interactive Vermeer catalogue. Retrieved on May 15,  2011, from http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/lady_writing.html
• Understanding a Lady Standing at a Virginal. Retrieved on May 21, 2011, from http://www.essentialvermeer.com/cat_about/standing.html
• A Lady Seated at a Virginal. Retrieved on May 21, 2011, from http://www.essentialvermeer.com/cat_about/standing.html