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Girl Interrupted at her Music
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Girl Interrupted at her Music |
| Johannes Vermeer, 1660-1661 |
| Oil on canvas |
| 39,4 × 44,5 cm |
| Frick Collection, New York City |
Girl Interrupted at her Music is a painting by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. It was painted in the baroque style between the years 1660 and 1661, using oil on canvas.
"The girl has been distracted and turns to look with a slightly quizzical expression. One wonders what has caused the interruption and why is has not yet disturbed her companion. She and the man are holding a sheet of paper, presumably a letter or a sheet of music. Once again, Vermeer presents an enigmatic scene, leaving it ambiguous whether the man is the girl's teacher or lover. The viewer is offered a privileged moment to look into the girl's eyes, just before her companion turns to see who has entered the room. Music was often associated with love, and lying on the table are a cittern and an open music score, together with a blue and white Delftware pitcher and a single glass of red wine. On the rear wall is a full-length painting of Cupid, which is probably intended as a reminder that perfect love should be reserved for a single lover. The paint surface of Girl Interrupted at her Music is in worn condition and the birdcage hanging on the wall near the window may be a later addition by another artist."
Vermeer, Martin Bailey, 1995
The painting was the inspiration for Susanna Kaysen's memoir entitled, 'Girl, Interrupted.' The memoir recounts Kaysen's stay at McLean Hospital for psychiatric treatment. Girl Interrupted at her Music was an integral part of Susanna's mental recovery and understanding. The painting is a metaphor for Kaysen's own interruption from others, and from an expected way of life. In the same way that the girl in the painting yearns to leave her world, so too did Susanna Kaysen.
The memoir was adapted into an Academy Award winning film by the same title, starring Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder. Susanna's connection with Girl Interrupted at her Music was overlooked in the film, with only a deleted scene to show for it.
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