DOI Kapitel:
Gerard Terburg
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62823#0140
114
GERARD TERBURG.
of a master giving lessons to a young lady, in music; a
lady writing, or reading a letter; a conversational, card,
or music party ; an officer occupied with dispatches, or
a trumpeter delivering a letter. If the continual repeti-
tion of such scenes manifest but a limited invention, the
admirable style in which they are executed by Terburg,
proves that he was a perfect master of his subjects, as
well as of the principles of the art necessary to make
them interesting. His figures have always an elevation
of character, and there is a graceful air in their attitudes;
and although the drawing of the form is sometimes heavy,
yet it is generally correct in the proportions. The dresses
of his figures, which are usually composed of silk, satin,
and other costly materials, are represented with such
truth and beauty, as to be almost deceptive. The
purity and simplicity of his colouring, and the peculiar
breadth of effect, bear considerable resemblance to the
fascinating manner of Correggio; his execution also,
like that great painter’s, is so soft and melting, that the
eye does not readily discern the touch of the pencil.
Hence the agreeable illusion, that makes every object
appear of the natural size.
The lucrative pursuit of portraiture, was doubtless
the chief cause that the fancy compositions by this
master are so few in number; and this, together with
their peculiar excellence and beauty, have at all times
rendered them of difficult attainment, and many collec-
tions are destitute of a single example.
GERARD TERBURG.
of a master giving lessons to a young lady, in music; a
lady writing, or reading a letter; a conversational, card,
or music party ; an officer occupied with dispatches, or
a trumpeter delivering a letter. If the continual repeti-
tion of such scenes manifest but a limited invention, the
admirable style in which they are executed by Terburg,
proves that he was a perfect master of his subjects, as
well as of the principles of the art necessary to make
them interesting. His figures have always an elevation
of character, and there is a graceful air in their attitudes;
and although the drawing of the form is sometimes heavy,
yet it is generally correct in the proportions. The dresses
of his figures, which are usually composed of silk, satin,
and other costly materials, are represented with such
truth and beauty, as to be almost deceptive. The
purity and simplicity of his colouring, and the peculiar
breadth of effect, bear considerable resemblance to the
fascinating manner of Correggio; his execution also,
like that great painter’s, is so soft and melting, that the
eye does not readily discern the touch of the pencil.
Hence the agreeable illusion, that makes every object
appear of the natural size.
The lucrative pursuit of portraiture, was doubtless
the chief cause that the fancy compositions by this
master are so few in number; and this, together with
their peculiar excellence and beauty, have at all times
rendered them of difficult attainment, and many collec-
tions are destitute of a single example.