Vermeer and Music

On 26 June The National Gallery in London opens Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure in the Sainsbury Wing (CLICK). The Gallery owns only two paintings by the Dutch master (out of 34 known worldwide) and has borrowed Vermeer's The Guitar Player (1672) from the Iveagh Bequest at Kenwood House, one of my favourite paintings. Note her silk dress, pearls and ermine trim. This is one very rich lady. I wonder who she was. To this core of three Vermeers it has added other Dutch artists from the same period plus the rare musical instruments they depicted in their paintings. The Academy of Ancient Music will play period music for 20 minutes on the hour on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Admission costs £7. Silver surfers can gain entry for £3.50 on Tuesdays, 2.30 - 6pm. CLICK for a slide show.