By the time this post goes up, I will have seen this little gem in the flesh. But if I hadn't watched that BBC 4 documentary on Still Life back last year (I posted a HG blog about it here)
and got all excited about, among other things, 17th century Dutch painting, I would most likely not have bothered. Or even noticed.
It's The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius (1622-1654) and it is on loan for just 6 weeks from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis in The Hague to the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. You'll need to get a shift on if you want to visit it there, as it leaves again after 18th December.
The visiting Goldfinch, in situ at the National Gallery of Scotland.
As you can see, Housekeeping is taking this special visitor in its stride.
If, however, Edinburgh isn't within visiting distance for you, here is a short video of the rather sweet Senior Curator Tico Seifert, speaking about the painting's importance and Fabritius' place in art history - a student of Rembrandt and an inspiration to Vermeer. (Don't be cross that he doesn't actually show you the painting - I suspect moving the camera was going to be a step too far. I liked the helpful human podium for his notes which gradually drifts into frame ...)
The Goldfinch. Tiny. Beautiful. The sort of image the word exquisite was invented for.
Joan Lennon's website.
Joan Lennon's blog.
Silver Skin.
1 comment:
Excellent - wish I could see it too but thanks for bringing it a wee bit closer.
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