Matt Soltis
Join us for a talk on painter, Johannes Vermeer (1632-75), presented by local Art Historian, Matt Soltis. This presentation and discussion will take place on Sunday, November 17th, at the Warwick Senior Center on Kings Highway. The talk will start at 2:00 pm and include refreshments. A WAL business meeting will precede at 1:30 pm.
Today Johan Vermeer is known as one of the great masters from an era called the Dutch Golden age, but this wasn’t always the case. In fact when Vermeer died, his name died with him and his works disappeared into obscurity. It wasn’t until the 19th century that interest in his work and his name began to surface once again. The discovery of an authentic Vermeer painting is no small feat as he only produced only 34 paintings over the course of his entire life. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the home of five of these incredibly rare paintings such as A Maid Asleep, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, Young Woman with a Lute, and Study of a Young Woman. These paintings celebrate simple individuals (mostly women) depicted in every-day life. During this class, you will learn about the artistic elements Vermeer used to compose his paintings and the historical significance of each. You will also learn which of the Vermeer paintings on display at the Met listed contain a hidden dog.
Art for Matt began at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in art. During his time there he discovered more than just a passion for the history of art, but also a love for creating it. Since then he became a member of the Cornwall Arts Collective and presented several art history lectures throughout the Hudson Valley. Currently, he is an instructor for the Life-long Learning Institute at Vassar college. As an oil painter, he believes he can offer a special insight on the methods and techniques of the great masters of the past.
This event is free for WAL members and their guests; otherwise, a $10 fee will be collected.
(Painting posted is “Girl With a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vemeer)