A Restored Vermeer Painting Reveals a Hidden Cupid Artwork Hanging in the Background

[ornotna]

Last edited Sun Aug 29, 2021, 08:41 PM - Edit history (1)

A years-long restoration undertaken by the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden has entirely altered the understanding of a 17th-century painting by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. What was once thought to be a somewhat glum depiction of a young girl reading near a window is now an amorous portrayal thanks to the unveiling of a naked Cupid hanging in the background.

Conservators knew the image of the Roman god of love existed after a 1979 X-ray, although it was assumed that Vermeer had altered the piece himself. Only after they performed a series of infrared reflectography imagings, microscopic analyses, and X-ray fluorescence examinations in 2017 did they realize that the Cupid was covered decades after the painter’s death, even though they still aren’t sure who marred the original piece or when. This dramatic of an alteration is rare during restoration, considering standard processes generally involve simple cleaning and repairs.

“When layers of varnish from the 19th century began to be removed from the painting, the conservators discovered that the ‘solubility properties’ of the paint in the central section of the wall were different to those elsewhere in the painting,” a statement says, explaining further:

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2021/08/vermeer-cupid-painting/



Edit to add.

For more than two hundred and fifty years Johannes Vermeer's famous painting “Girl Reading a Letter at the Open Window” has taken a permanent place among the main works in the Dresden Gemäldegalerie. The picture, dated around 1657/59, is considered to be one of the earliest interior paintings by Vermeer's with a single figure. Earlier X-ray examinations gave indications that a picture was painted over with the representation of a naked Cupid. New laboratory tests now show beyond doubt that the overpainting was not by Vermeer's hand. On this basis, the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister decided in the course of the current restoration of the picture to remove the overpainting layer. The painting can thus be seen again as it left the artist's studio.

[EarnestPutz]

1. This is really cool. I think I'll be looking for more blank walls in the old masters works.....

.....wondering what may be hidden.

[hlthe2b]

2. Interesting for sure. But, I can't help but think the artist may have chosen to paint over the

cherubs so as to focus more on the woman. In all honesty, I think the background cherubs distract and I like the original with the blank wall a bit better--especially the masterful use of reflected light off the wall and the woman's shoulder.

[happybird]

3. I agree

The fabrics on the bed and the fruit are also lovely. Definitely don’t agree with the “glum” description in the first quoted paragraph.

ETA: And Cupids are creepy. Just sayin’

[ornotna]

4. Wasn't done by Vermeer according to the experts

The painting has been in the museum’s collection for more than 250 years and the hidden Cupid had been known about since an x-ray in 1979 and infrared reflectography in 2009. It had been assumed that the artist himself had altered the composition by covering over the painting of Cupid.

But when a major restoration project began in May 2017, conservators discovered that the paint on the wall in the background of the painting, covering the naked Cupid, had in fact been added by another person. When layers of varnish from the 19th century began to be removed from the painting, the conservators discovered that the “solubility properties” of the paint in the central section of the wall were different to those elsewhere in the painting.

Following further investigations, including tests in an archaeometry laboratory, it was discovered that layers of binding agent and a layer of dirt existed between the image of Cupid and the overpainting. The conservators concluded that several decades would have passed between the completion of one layer and the addition of the next and therefore concluded that Vermeer could not have painted over the Cupid himself.

https://kottke.org/21/08/a-restored-vermeer-painting-now-with-bonus-cupid

[localroger]

7. The Victorians were terrible about this kind of vandalism

Having seen the documentary Tim's Vermeer I would be especially shocked to find this sort of vandalism performed on an original Vermeer of any provenance. I'm glad they figured out what happened and put it back the way the artist made it to be.

[CrispyQ]

6. It would be interesting to know, for sure.

I like the plain wall better, too.

[Bayard]

5. Painted over because someone was offended by a naked boy?

It makes me think that the girl is reading a love letter, since its so prominent.

[skip fox]

8. Rumor has it

that the great, great, great grandfather of John Ashcroft was a security guard at the first museum where the painting was hung. 🥴

[lunatica]

9. I like the one without the Cupid much more

Cupid is such a little shit that seeing him in any painting irritates me! But that’s just me. Using Cupids and winged people seems such an affectation to me. It’s like artists were obligated to do it in order to get patrons.

[ornotna]

10. Interesting that the same Cupid shows up in another of his paintings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Standing_at_a_Virginal

[lunatica]

11. Jarring isn't it?

At least it is to me. It doesn’t fit if this is supposed to be a scene of domestic life. The other paintings on the wall are all normal decor for a family home.

[ornotna]

12. It was the mid to late 1600's

Times were so much different back then. I guess I'm not as adverse to it. I actually like the restored version and find it fascinating that he used the Cupid more than once.

Twice in less than 40 paintings. My guess is he liked it.