Unbelievable, but true: I managed to grab a ticket to the Vermeer exhibition now taking place at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The exhibition sold out quickly, so I have no idea how I managed to score a slot before there were no more. But, to Amsterdam I planned to go, and to Amsterdam I went.
The first thing I came upon was the tulips. OH MY, THE TULIPS.
And, well, the place.
The tiles?
I stayed in a great, if slightly terrifying (very, very STEEP STAIRS) inn, right in the middle of everything.
All of that was fun and wonderful and exciting. But then . . . came Vermeer.
It was, admittedly, way too crowded.
But, seriously, can you blame them/us? It was the exhibition of a lifetime.
Below, mainly detail shots. Bits and bobs of paintings that I want to remember.
I drank it all in. The details. The colors. The textiles.
I realized that I had only ever before seen one Vermeer painting in person. And here was almost his entire life’s work.
I spent a long time studying the details.
I emerged to see more tulips.
I was nearly sick from beauty.
I had a pretty hard week at work after my Amsterdam weekend. I just kept on thinking of Vermeer—all that light and color, those lovely details. Centuries later, still astonishing.
Wow Faith, I loved your photos and details of the artworks and flowers - a stunning short trip. The best kind which keep on giving. All the best, Marina
What fabulous pictures! And fabulous trip!!