City and Country by Johannes Vermeer

City and Country

Johannes Vermeer · 1868

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“This etching by Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart from 1868 beautifully contrasts the bustling city with the tranquil countryside, showcasing his masterful precision in printmaking.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart, a master etcher, created "City and Country" in 1868. This piece showcases his remarkable skill in capturing intricate details and atmospheric effects through the delicate lines of etching. Jacquemart was known for his precise and refined approach to printmaking, often depicting landscapes, architectural views, and portraits. While many of his contemporaries focused on oil painting, as seen in works like "The Song of the Lark" or "Barks Fleeing Before the Storm," Jacquemart distinguished himself through his dedication to printmaking. His earlier etchings, such as "Mementos of a Trip" (1862) and "The Apse of Notre-Dame, Paris" (1863), demonstrate a similar meticulousness that he brought to "City and Country." This particular etching offers a nuanced study of contrasting environments, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between urban and natural spaces, a theme that resonates across many artistic periods.

DETAILS
Artist
Johannes Vermeer
Date
1868
Medium
Etching
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
Sheet: 5 1/2 x 8 1/16 in. (14 x 20.5 cm) Plate: 4 5/16 x 6 5/16 in. (11 x 16.1 cm)
Collection
Drawings and Prints
Credit line
Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
ART MOVEMENTS
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

City and Country
01

The dense cluster of buildings on the left

02

The open, expansive sky above the landscape

03

Subtle variations in light and shadow

04

Delicate lines defining architectural elements

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THE ARTIST

Johannes Vermeer

1632–1675 · Dutch Republic

Vermeer painted just 34 known works, yet became one of history's most beloved masters of light.

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Beyond Vermeer and Baroque: works from the same years, and from the other movements City and Country belongs to.

Anna van der Aar (born 1576/77, died after 1626) Same movement · Dutch Golden Age painting Anna van der Aar (born 1576/77, died after 1626) Frans Hals · 1626 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Barks Fleeing Before the Storm Same era · 1850s–1880s Barks Fleeing Before the Storm Léon-Victor Dupré · 1870 · Art Institute of Chicago Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) Same movement · Dutch Golden Age painting Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) Rembrandt · 1626 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Backgammon Players Same era · 1850s–1880s The Backgammon Players Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Paris Street; Rainy Day Same era · 1850s–1880s Paris Street; Rainy Day Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago On the Bank of the Seine, Bennecourt Same era · 1850s–1880s On the Bank of the Seine, Bennecourt Claude Monet · 1868 · Art Institute of Chicago Patio of the Palace of the Duke of Alba, Seville: Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta painting Same era · 1850s–1880s Patio of the Palace of the Duke of Alba, Seville: Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta painting Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1868 · Hispanic Society of America The Valley of Les Puits-Noir Same era · 1850s–1880s The Valley of Les Puits-Noir Gustave Courbet · 1868 · Art Institute of Chicago
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