Close to Vermeer continues to expand to cities nationwide in June, including: Durham, NC – 6/9; Asheville, NC – 6/9; Baltimore, MD – 6/9; Overland Park, KS – 6/9; Sag Harbor, NY – 6/9; Highland Park, IL – 6/9; Buffalo, NY – 6/9; Columbia, SC – 6/16; Sarasota, FL – 6/16; Eugene, OR – 6/16; Ithaca, NY – 6/16; Concord, NH – 6/16; Winston-Salem, NC – 6/23; Columbus, OH – 6/23; Bantam, CT – 6/23; Boston, MA – 6/28
In the art world, a new documentary is causing quite a stir. Close to Vermeer provides audiences with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Rijksmuseum’s monumental Vermeer exhibition, the largest of its kind. Director Suzanne Raes captures the museum’s curators and conservators as they set out on a mission to uncover new insights into the elusive Dutch Master.
Despite being widely recognized for his works The Milkmaid and Girl with a Pearl Earring, Vermeer remains a mystery. He left behind no self-portraits, letters, or notes, leaving only a small oeuvre for art historians and enthusiasts to analyze. But this documentary sheds new light on his work, showing viewers how curators were able to bring several of Vermeer’s paintings to the Netherlands and revealing the knowledge they gained by scanning the paintings layer by layer.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation in the film is that one of Vermeer’s works may not actually be his. This shocking news only adds to the allure of the exhibition and the man himself. Through it all, the passion and love that the curators and other protagonists have for Vermeer’s art are evident. They believe that a good exhibition can change your view of the world, and that is precisely what Close to Vermeer aims to do.
The 78-minute documentary is in Dutch and English with English subtitles. It is sure to delight art lovers and anyone interested in learning more about a fascinating period in Dutch history.
Netherlands | 2023 | 78 min | Color | In Dutch and English with English subtitles