Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Painter David Hockney believes the use of optical devices was common in painting - see "Secret Knowledge," by Hockney (Thames and Hudson). Phillip Steadman, whose work was discussed in the third site below, has written a book about Vermeer's use of the camera obscura - "Vermeer's Camera," (Oxford). Given his apparent interest in optical reproduction, one wonders what Vermeer might have done with a few rolls of Kodachrome, though I suspect we are all richer for the fact that he had to use paint and brushes to render his images, however he constructed them. Dick Boston MA >The earliest record of the uses of a camera obscura can be found in the >writings of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). At about the same period >Daniel Barbaro, a Venetian, recommended the camera as an aid to drawing >and perspective. > >For more details about the camera obscura see > >http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/cameraob.htm >http://brightbytes.com/cosite/what.html >http://www.grand-illusions.com/vermeer/vermeer1.htm > > >Peter Werner > > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: lug-bounces+pwerner=bluewin.ch@leica-users.org [mailto:lug- >> bounces+pwerner=bluewin.ch@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Kenneth >Frazier >> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 06:46 >> To: Leica Group; MUGers@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: [Leica] FWI: Vermeer, light, and the camera >> >> I just mentioned, in my reply to Ted, that I had not forgotten >Vermeer, >> a reference to a comment by Ted made some time ago. >> >> That triggered my curiosity and I checked out the extensive Vermeer >> website: >> > > http://tinyurl.com/5sm97 >> >> On this page of the website, in the pop-ups, it is mentioned that some >> scholars have speculated that Vermeer used a "camera obscura" in >> creating the painting of the "Girl with a Pearl Earring," which is a >> classic "statement" of shooting from the shadow side. >> >> Nothing new under the sun!!! >> >> Ken >> -- >> The Rev. Kenneth Frazier >> Norfield Congregational Church >> CT Conference, United Church of Christ >> Weston, CT USA > > Leica photos at: http://tinyurl.com/6sc2r