Vermeer's Masterpiece: The Milkmaid Audio Tour

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No reproductions in the download, but this podcast did have a brochure of all the paintings in this 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art podcast.  The archived acoustiguide I reviewed for today revolved around Johannes Vermeer, artists who influenced him, and his contemporaries.  The theme behind this series revolved around the Milkmaid archetype found in Dutch art.  I admit, listening to these interpretations left me reeling at the filthy minds these Dutch painters had.  Especially with what originally came in before they edited away to create a scene of subtlety.  In fact, when the podcasts discusses the lone woman painter and her rendering of the milkmaid archetype, it hit me right there at how much the male gaze sexualized this symbol of working Dutch women.

On other artists, the show featured Gabriel Metsu and Pieter de Hooch.  I did like Gerard ter Borch’s work and the subtle shapes he created with his figures.  In fact, I have always had a soft spot for Dutch Baroque painters.  All these artists featured created such wonderful warm environments.  Such a contrast especially with the Italian Baroque era and their emphasis on Classical and Biblical subjects.  In the Dutch Baroque, their paintings featured everyday people in small, intimate environments.  On another note, the Metropolitan even gives history of when “The Milkmaid” first visited America along with other artists and paintings in this show.  Concerning any musical accompaniment, they did have cute harpsichord instrumentals that matched the artwork really well.

The longest podcast almost reaches three minutes.

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