The only way to see the Vermeer in Russia - Vermeer painting "The Geographer" brought to the Hermitage

The State Hermitage will show a picture of the Russian audience Jan (Johannes) Vermeer's "Geography", which he temporarily gave Städel Museum in Frankfurt. At present this is the only opportunity to see the Vermeer in Russia, as his works are not represented in the collections of Russian museums, the press service of the Hermitage.

"In the school of Rembrandt Hall as part of the series" Masterpieces from World Museums in the Hermitage "opened the exhibition of painting" The Geographer "Johannes Vermeer, one of the most famous and yet mysterious masters of the Golden Age of Dutch art. The world knows no more than thirty-five of his works, and in museums and collections in Russia there are no works of the artist ", - said the press service.

The painting "The Geographer" was created in 1669. The composition of a small "cabinet" format, double-signed by the master. Who is depicted in the picture, it is not known, but landkarta on the wall and model of the globe on a stand formed the basis for the determination of the character of this painting as a geographer. "Sure, creating a" geography "of the artist does not simply mean scientists engaged in science, but put in the way of a broader philosophical sense" - believe specialists of the Hermitage.

For several centuries, the picture has changed a lot of owners and visited various European countries. Now it belongs to the congregation Städel in Frankfurt am Main.

Hermitage is not the first time shows at Vermeer masterpieces. Previously exhibited here, "Love Letter" and "Woman in Blue Reading a Letter." In contrast to the works previously displayed in the Hermitage, "Geography" reflects that party scene repertoire Vermeer.

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) - one of the most famous artists of the Golden Age of Holland, although the public recognition for its picturesque heritage came only in the middle of the XIX century. His painting technique, experiments with optics and perspective, a unique transmission of light, poetic character images are considered unsurpassed in originality and force of impact on the audience. In the early period of creativity Vermeer favored landscape genre and religious scenes, the artist later became interested in painting home. Many of his domestic scenes are a popular genre in the XVII century, "paintings, rebus," which details in the background becoming the "key" to the interpretation of the whole scene.