The Louvre

The Louvre Pyramid

Lucky for us, when Abby and I got to the Louvre seemed to be the time when most people were leaving for lunch. The museum was still very crowded though so I can only imagine what it must be like when it is actually considered busy. 

I had had my heart set on going to the Louvre not for the Mona Lisa or any of the other famous masterpieces the museum contains but for a Vermeer's “The Astronomer.”

The painting is a baroque piece featuring a young man at a desk studying astronomy. It is one of two paintings, or one part of a pendent painting, the other is entitled “The Geographer.” The paintings are particular favorites of mine and also the subject of one of my papers.

While I was writing the paper it seemed like I spent years staring at the two paintings searching out their secrets, when in reality it was probably hours. Seeing one of the paintings in person though was astounding. I felt as if I finally understood the innumerable times many of my art history professors had told me “well, you have to see it in person” about a ridiculous amount of paintings.

I knew prior to seeing “The Astronomer” in person, from articles I had read while researching, that the Hondius Celestial globe was identified based on the constellations visible, the book the young man was reading was also identified based on the detail provided on the open page in the painting. While I knew all this, I had never personally seen it in the images of the painting. Even on the website (which is astounding by the way) www.essentialvermeer.com which provides close ups among many other things relating to each painting of Johannes Vermeers. But suddenly, seeing the painting in person, it made sense to me why these discoveries had been made. Vermeer really did provide the clues for someone to be able to put them together if they so choose. 

 Vermeer's version of the Hondius Celestial Globe

I was awestruck and I nearly cried.

For awhile I was that annoying tourist who stands almost too close to the painting and dead center blocking peoples views. I didn’t feel too bad about it though because I was able to answer some peoples ponderings. I was pleasantly surprised at just how popular the painting seemed to be though. Eventually I moved back a few feet to sit on one of the benches and continue staring. At one point I was speaking my thoughts utterly unknowingly out loud. “Move you fuckers, you’re in my way” I said to the other annoying tourist who had taken up my previous position. Luckily the only person who heard me was Abby and she thought it was hysterical.

Eventually I was able to part with the painting to go see some of the other works such as the Venus De Milo, but we did cycle back to see “The Astronomer” one more time.

One last note: I would love to point out the striking resemblance seen above