Jan Banning - Moroccan Girl (Nissrine) Reading an Application Form [2007]
«Jan Banning’s interpretation of Vermeer, offered here, taken in a nun’s cell at the Catharijneconvent Museum in Utrecht with his Moroccan cleaning lady’s daughter as the model, is one of his most sought-after works. Created in 2007 in reaction to rising right-wing populism in Europe, this photograph is just as powerful today.»
«During the meticulous restoration of Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (1663-64), one of the Rijksmuseum’s four Vermeer masterpieces, a number of surprising details were uncovered. Vermeer’s characteristically intense use of blue, for example, can now be viewed in all of its magnificent nuances for the first time in centuries. In addition, several pearls that were added in 1928 were removed, and other details that had disappeared were restored.»
(Sigue en Gandalf's Gallery)
«The same painting before restoration had taken place.»