Exhibition, great art on screen #EX03

"Presented on cinema screens around the world on Thursday 10 October 2013"--Publisher's Web site

In its exhibition "Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure," the National Gallery, London, offered a fresh look at one of the most startling and fascinating artists of all: Johannes Vermeer, painter of the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring. The National Gallery chose to focus on Vermeer's relationship with music. It is one of the most popular themes of Dutch painting and reveals an enormous amount about the sitter and the society they lived in. New research, revealed for the first time at this exhibition, showed how his technique and materials affected Vermeer's works. Tim Marlow goes beyond the exhibition, which ran 26 June to 8 September 2013, to tell the entire story of Vermeer's life -- and, in doing so, shows in high-definition detail many other of the artist's captivating works. For those inspired by the 2003 film, Girl with a Pearl Earring, starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, this new, cinematic exploration will take their enjoyment and fascination of Vermeer's life and work to a new level. --Publisher's website

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) is a fascinating painter who life and works are explored here in detail. Filmed in London's National Gallery, New York's Met and other galleries in the USA and the Netherlands, this film delves into a breathtaking collection of Vermeer's finest pieces and delivers a detailed biography of the artist, his life and times. An exposition of period musical pursuits is skilfully blended with the art of Vermeer and his contemporaries. Live music from the Academy of Ancient Music serves as a beautiful soundtrack to the wonderful sight of Vermeer's paintings. Tim Marlow, world-renowned art historian and broadcaster, guides us through the artwork and delivers a first-rate biography of Johannes Vermeer. He invites comments from leading authorities on fine art and from Tracy Chevalier, whose best-selling novel, inspired by Vermeer, was made into the blockbuster movie, Girl with a Pearl Earring. The National Gallery's exhibition has now closed and many pieces are too fragile ever to travel again, but all this can still be enjoyed on DVD. Bonus extras include additional scenes, interviews with special guests (such as curators Arthur Wheelock and Walter Liedtke), and an interview with the director. --Container

DVD