Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
After restoring the early masterpiece “Girl Reading a Letter at the Window”, it will be released for the first time in the world outside the collection!
Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl Reading a Letter at the Window” by Johannes Vermeer, a master of Dutch painting in the 17th century, is a featured work of this exhibition. It is an early masterpiece that is said to have established the style.
In 1979, an X-ray survey revealed that the wall was painted with Cupid’s picture-in-picture, and for many years it was thought that Vermeer himself erased the picture.
However, a 2017 survey revealed that it had been erased by someone other than Vermeer, and the following year, restoration to remove the topcoat layer of the picture-in-picture began. In May 2019, a work in the process of restoration, in which Cupid’s picture-in-picture partially appeared, was released in a press release.
In this exhibition, along with materials that introduce this restoration process, the original appearance of “Girl Reading a Letter at the Window”, in which Cupid was completely revealed by a large-scale restoration project, is shown in the Dresden National Classical Painting Museum. It will be released next to the announcement. It will be the world premiere except for the holdings.
In addition, we will also introduce about 70 masterpieces of 17th century Dutch painting, such as Rembrandt, Metu, and Van Ruisdal, which are owned by the Dresden National Classical Painting Museum.
■ Before restoration
■ Restoring * Cupid’s picture-in-picture that gradually appears as of May 2019 announcement
◆ Highlights
-After restoring Vermeer’s “Girl Reading a Letter at the Window”, it will be unveiled for the first time in the world outside the holdings!
This work, in which the hidden picture-in-picture of Cupid appears, will be released after its debut at the holdings. It will be the first time in the world to show the restored appearance except for the holdings.
● Introducing the process of the restoration project <br /> Cupid gradually appears after carefully removing the overcoated paint layer. We will introduce the restoration process with videos.
● 17th Century Dutch Painting Collection, which the Dresden National Classical Painting Museum is proud of <br /> Not only Vermeer, but also about 70 masterpieces of 17th century Dutch painters such as Rembrandt, Metsu, and Van Reisdar will be exhibited.
[Overview]
Exhibition name: Johannes Vermeer and the Dutch Masters of the Golden Age from the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Planning Exhibition Room (8-36 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Date: January 22nd (Sat) -April 3rd (Sun), 2022
Organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Sankei Shimbun, Fuji Television Special Cooperation: Sony Music Entertainment
Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello dial)
Exhibition official website: https://www.dresden-vermeer.jp
* Closed days, opening hours, admission fees, etc. will be announced on the official exhibition website as soon as they are decided.
* Exhibited works, exhibition dates, etc. are subject to change due to future circumstances, so please check the exhibition official website for the latest information.
Traveling exhibition:
[Hokkaido Exhibition] Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art April-June 2022 * Adjusting [Osaka Exhibition] Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts July 16th (Sat) -September 25th (Sun), 2022
[Miyagi Exhibition] Both venue and session are being adjusted
Article provided by: Kokoshiru Ueno
See other exhibition information