Vermeer-AstronomerSometime between mid-October and mid-January, I simply have to get to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. They will be hosting a traveling exhibit titled The Louvre and the Masterpiece. And amongst the masterpieces from the Louvre in Paris that will be there is “The Astronomer” by Johannes Vermeer.

I love Vermeer’s paintings. I saw one in person for the first time last summer when I visited the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. They have three on display. I was enthralled. They are such amazing works. As wonderful as reproductions and photographs of these works of art are, the paintings themselves are stunningly amazing. They have amazing detail, but also this etherial softness and some amazing translucence. I think that’s one reason that the light in these domestic scenes and portraits is so amazing and wonderful. I’m not going to miss seeing this one.

The Louvre and the Masterpiece at the MIA