Comments on: Pieter de Hooch

By: elijah

elijah — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:53:58 +0000

One of my favorite Dutch painters. I wonder if at least some of the paintings on these walls have been identified.

I think another difference between the two masters is that Vermeer reveals more about the psychology of his models while De Hooch more about the psychology of his own persona. In a way it’s easier to identify with the latter because of that. But easy is not always that interesting, is it.

By: oakling

oakling — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:33:53 +0000

I love how much this looks like a really good modern photograph or movie still. I really prefer his use of light to Vermeer’s; I like the depth it gives the scene. Do you know of anyone doing similar work now?

By: Sid Leavitt

Sid Leavitt — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:45:21 +0000

God, Charley, I hate to be away from the Internet for a few days because there’s always so much good stuff on lines and colors to catch up on. (Wow, two prepositions. See how hurried I am?)

Anyway, how in hell do you do it? And in two consecutive posts, spanning the distance from Gez Fry to Pieter de Hooch. I love it, but you’re exhausting me.

Well, my wife says I need the exercise, so keep up the good work. And I’ll try to keep up, too.

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:46:29 +0000

Thanks for the comment, John. I think the evidence is very strong that Vermeer did use a camera obscura, and likely that de Hooch had access to one as well, though I don't see the perspective quirks in his images that are part of the evidence scholars point to when analyzing Vermeer's images. Other readers should check out John Derry's site at pixelart.com. John is one of the originators of Painter, the amazing digital painting and image manipulation application originally from Fractal Design and now being sold and continuing to be developed by Corel.

By: John Derry

John Derry — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:33:09 +0000

There has been a lot of research and speculation that the camera obscura played a part in the look of Vermeer’s work. Interior scenes certainly would have been the ideal lighting in which to utilize such a tool. I wonder if de Hooch perhaps had knowledge of the camera obscura? His emphasis on perspective within his interiors would seem to re-enforce the possibility.

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:26:34 +0000

Corrected. Thanks! (I had it as de HOKE from one of the online articles.)

By: hemaworstje

hemaworstje — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:16:39 +0000

we dutch pronounce it as Hoogh
the g is like gretzky

By: Lane Meyers

Lane Meyers — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:38:02 +0000

Snapshots of long, long ago. I wonder what inspired these artists.