A couple of things I love about this painting: First, how serene and real she is. I love how the light washes over her face and how her hands look so delicate. But she doesn't seem to be a push-over. Her calmness makes it harder for people to ruffle or bully her. And I'll bet those graceful hands have done their share of dishes. Unlike ethereal paintings of the Virgin Mary and ancient Greek goddesses you often see in galleries, this woman lives in the real world.
Her pearls are scattered on the desk in front of her and there's a mirror under the window, but the scales are empty. I wonder if she's had to decide to sell some of her jewelry to pay for the baby that's on the way. Maybe she had just tried on her favorite necklace for the last time. Maybe she's idly playing with the scales and thinking.
What she's thinking might be visually represented by the painting, like a 'speech bubble', above her head. It's hard to see in the link, but it's a painting of the final judgement. I like the reminder that as easy as it is to be caught up in everyday affairs and worries, ultimately we should weigh everything in light of the eternity that is to come. At 25 it's easy to forget that our seemingly never-ending juggling act of work, family, chores, social engagements, etc. will actually end one day.
This painting represents to me the reality that we're in the world but not of it. The scales are a delicate balance of secular activities carried out with a spiritual worldview. Like the tranforming and glowing light of a Vermeer painting, our sure and certain hope of eternity infuses our mundane tasks with everlasting significance. Sounds crazy, but thank you Lord for the opportunity to do my chores today. I'm your woman, and you give me balance.
Jean, are you 25? I'm confused....
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that Vermeer painting. I think we studied it in Great Books class together all those years ago!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful commentary. So glad you've joined us!
ReplyDeleteMom - I got married at 25 - hence being CEO since then. *hugs*
Did we study it in GBT? Wow, I didn't remember that. The last time we were in DC I wandered around the National Gallery until I finally found the Vermeer section. (So many rooms, it only took me like an hour and a half!) This painting was like a jewel on the wall. I wanted to take it home with me (I thought about the movie 'National Treasure' a lot on that trip!), but I settled on a print from the gift shop. It's in my bedroom. :-)
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