Project 2: Narrative

The Astronomer

by Johannes Vermeer

1668
oil on canvas
19 3/8 x 17 3/4 in. (50 x 45 cm.)
Musée du Louvre, Paris

Spatial Narrative

"An Observatory for an inquisitive astronomer to observe the stars"

Context:

A hill-top on the country side of a swiss town.

Qualities within the painting:

• Colour, space light harmonised, unified to convey the astronomer's role and action.
• Unity
• Universal within a small containment
• astronomer's role is celebrated by the celestial globe
• book on the table represents the idea of drawing "inspirations from god"
• willingness to be interested in the greater world, both terrestrial and celestial, and an awareness of the knowledge of both spheres needed for navigation