1.2 Self-Assessment: "The Music Lesson" by Vermeer

A. Previewing: What do you see in the visual?


Apply the first four Ws (who, what, where, and when) to explore physical aspects, or facts of a visual.

  1.  Who and/or what is in the image?
      • Some items you may recognize are casement windows, a black and white patterned marble floor depicting wealth, a purple and red Turkish carpet which was highly expensive, a highly decorated (black flowers, seahorses) yellow piano (virginal), a yellow viola, a light blue Spanish chair, a white Italian jug, and a wooden framed mirror, and an Italian painting on the wall.
  2.  What action is happening in the image?
      • The teen-aged girl is receiving a music lesson from a man aged 30 or older. The man is wearing a sash and carries a walking stick which makes him look important and authoritative.
  3.  Where are items positioned? Where is the action occurring?
      • The action is taking place indoors in a wealthy upper class family home in Holland.
  4.  When is the action occurring?
      • The action is occurring during the day because it is sunny outside.
      • Jan Vermeer painted between 1632 and 1675. The subjects are wearing Dutch clothing from that period.
      • The items picture the influence of the Renaissance in Europe.

B. Analyzing: What might details mean? 

Apply the last W (why) to explore meaning, or a message, within a visual. 

  1.  Why was the visual composed the way it is?
      • The girl is the focal point of the image. Her head in the mirror is turned toward the music teacher. But in the one playing the piano faces straight ahead. Perhaps this is because she has a lively imagination or is daydreaming. Answers may vary.
  2.  Why are these people in this setting?
      • The most important thing to people in this era was family life in the home.
      • The people appear to be a bit distant from each other and very calm, measured, and restrained. The viewer is onlooker to a peaceful scene. Because that is the style of the painting and the style of the music from that time period.
  1.  Why are these objects placed where they are?
      • The other focal point is the viol abandoned in the middle of the floor. Who plays the viol? Is the music teacher singing?
      • The rug is very important because it symbolizes wealth. It was too expensive to place on the floor and is draped over a table.
  2.  Why was the scene captured from a specific angle?
      • The musicians are distant in the painting, but they are painted straight on suggesting equality and emotional calm and control.
      • You may notice many aspects of the painting. Perhaps you noticed how the black and white tiles are similar to the black and white keys the girl is playing.
  3.  Does lighting emphasize one item more than another? Why might that be?
      • Light is the most important part of this image. It makes the white vase stand out. The contrast and lighting on the tiles makes the blacks and whites of the tile stand out suggesting wealth. The colours of blue and yellow also contrast each other. The lines (vertical, horizontal, and diagonal) in the painting draw attention to the girl and to her face in the mirror. The lines in the window are similar to the lines pattern on the floor. The vase is similar in shape to the viola on the floor. Or, you may notice other artistic elements present in the painting. 


  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.