A Young Woman Seated at the Virginal

Johannes Vermeer's attention to detail grants the artist the opportunity to relive the power of his work in more recent years as his impeccable paintings gain popularity.

While the painting A Young Woman Seated at a Virginal was originally attributed to Vermeer, the work was widely questioned as not his. An array of examinations of the painting occurred as it has been attributed as in fact the artist's work.

The pigments of the painting follow the classic colours used by the artist, which include ultramarine and lead tin yellow.

The interesting element to note within the painting is that it is not constructed with a vanishing point as it is instead based on a flattened viewpoint.

The lack of additional structure around the work to add to it is not evident within the painting. This compositional structure of the painting flattens the work out by viewing it from a single viewpoint. The artist was often suspected to use a camera obscure throughout his work in order to aid him in showcasing his characters through a flat viewpoint.

The artwork dates back to 1670-1672 during the Dutch Golden Age. While the artwork does not hold elements of the Baroque style Vermeer commonly depicted throughout his work, the painting reveals a classic technique that the artist is prominently known for.

The calm brush technique throughout the painting is successfully illustrated as the elements blend into one another with no harsh lines. Vermeer did not depict the work with the exact precision that he usually does, instead adding a blurrier effect to the artwork.

The art showcases a young lady sitting at the front of a piano as she places her hands directly one the keys. The girl's head is tilted towards the side starring out of the painting as her gaze catches the eyes of the viewer's. Her soft smile is swept across her face as she lightly grins captivating the viewer.

An interesting hairstyle within the painting that has not been showcased throughout Vermeer's work is the light curls covering her head. Her rich brown hair gently falls in small curls as a red ribbon interweaves.

The girls face holds in a rounded frame with her wide eyes filling the screen. An element that the artist included in his work throughout the years is the use of a pigment within the face. The artistÕs use of colour adds a light blush to the woman's face giving her more life. The woman's pale hands gently brush across the keyboard as she ignore the piano.

The woman is dressed in a beige dress that flares to the side with an array of waves, faired with an over fabric coloured in a light yellow shade.

The wall behind the woman is covered in a light grey colour, casually blurring the background out to draw attention towards the woman sitting. The classic background is a popular element the artist enjoyed changing through his work in order to reflect the mood of the artwork.

Vermeer's classic style revolutionized the artistÕs ability to portray items in a new light through an array of colours, form, and technique.