Entertainment
Largest ever exhibition of Vermeer paintings to open in Amsterdam
Twenty-eight paintings by Johannes Vermeer go on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam this week, the largest-ever exhibition of works of the 17th-century Dutch master, known for his expertise at rendering light and intimate household scenes.
The show gathers half the works that Vermeer, who died aged 43 and worked slowly, is thought ever to have painted and three-quarters of those that still exist. He likely never saw so many of his own works together at one time.
Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits said Vermeer was a man who lived with a large family and had a busy life as an art dealer but still managed to obsessively refine works of quiet beauty, bathed in light rendered with almost photographic accuracy.
“It’s this … complete focus and tranquillity in his paintings that we still love today,” Dibbits said.
Alongside famed works like “Girl With A Pearl Earring” (1664) and “The Milkmaid” (1659), the exhibit features Vermeer’s two known outdoor paintings, several large canvases, and a string of his portrayals of women — including playing instruments, reading and working.
“What’s quite striking when you look at Vermeer is that in his paintings, it’s mostly women who are the protagonists,” said curator Pieter Roelofs, noting Vermeer had seven daughters.
Though no letter written by Vermeer exists, a key document is an inventory of possessions drawn up after his death, which left the family in debt. Furniture and many objects mentioned on the list appear in the paintings.
Roelofs said major advances have been made in understanding how Vermeer worked, including identifying pinholes at the focal point in some paintings such as “The Milkmaid”, part of a system of strings he used to help ensure perfect perspective.
Artists and scholars dispute whether Vermeer may have made use of a ‘camera Obscura, a forerunner of the modern photo camera.
Roelofs said Vermeer’s works are more than something a good eye and skilled hand can create. Recent analysis shows the composition of “The Milkmaid” changed several times, notably by stripping things out to simplify it.
“That is what Vermeer is: it’s never good enough and he keeps working on it until he thinks it’s sufficient to hand over to clients,” Roelofs said.
Author Tracy Chevalier, whose novel “Girl with a Pearl Earring” was adapted to a movie of the same name, said for her the exhibition evoked an image of Vermeer as a reserved man who “plays his cards close to his chest.”
“His paintings are so quiet and there are no children … he must have compartmentalized his life and said ‘no, no kids in the studio’.”
Museums in Germany, France, Japan, Britain, Ireland and the United States contributed to the exhibition, which opens on Friday and runs until June.
Actress Humaira Bano has criticised Firdous Jamal for his ‘disrespectful’ comments.
Appearing on a podcast, Humaira called out Firdous for belittling actresses in the industry, particularly those who are in their 30s.
In a previous podcast appearance, Firdous had made headlines for age-shaming Mahira Khan.
Humaira was upset by his comments and didn’t hold back when discussing Firdous.
She said: “I felt angry and sad after hearing Firdous Jamal’s inappropriate remarks against the women who are working in the showbiz industry.
“I have worked with him in the past, but now I won’t work with him.
“Firdous Sahab, I am telling you, you are also a person with low character, just like you think the women in the industry are.
“Your sons are also part of this industry, and not only this, you have earned your bread and butter through this industry all your life, which you now abuse.”
Firdous’ previous comments about Mahira Khan and the “ideal age” for a film heroine sparked outrage.
Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s Mumbai home, Mannat, is set to become even more stunning.
Latest updates have it that Gauri has applied for permission to add two more floors to the six-storey building, turning it into an eight-storey masterpiece.
If approved, the expansion will cost around Rs25 crore. Built in 1914, Mannat is a heritage property and one of Mumbai’s top landmarks.
Thousands of fans gather outside the house every year on Shah Rukh’s birthday and during festivals like Eid, hoping to see Bollywood’s King Khan wave from his balcony.
Shah Rukh bought Mannat in 2001 after his mother-in-law found his previous home too small. He only had Rs2 crore in savings but managed to buy the house, then worth Rs30 crore, by taking a big loan. Gauri, an interior designer, handled the house’s interiors as they didn’t have enough money for a professional.
Shah Rukh repaid the loan in just four years, and today, Mannat is worth around Rs200 crore.
The planned expansion will make Mannat even more luxurious while keeping its charm intact. Gauri Khan, known for her elegant designs, will oversee the project.
Mannat is more than a house—it’s a symbol of Shah Rukh Khan’s journey, from a newcomer in Bollywood to one of India’s biggest stars.
Fans love the home as much as they love the actor, making it a must-visit spot in Mumbai.
Friendships that transcend borders are rare and precious, and one such bond that fans adore is between Pakistani star Yumna Zaidi and Indian actor Nakuul Mehta.
Though the two have never been seen together in person, their delightful online camaraderie often catches the attention of fans on both sides of the border.
Nakuul Mehta, known for his witty charm, frequently comments on Yumna Zaidi’s posts, and his recent interaction was no exception.
Yumna recently shared a reel from her latest campaign for Asim Jofa’s new collection, showcasing her elegant style.
In response, Nakuul dropped a simple yet impactful fire emoji, leaving fans buzzing with excitement.
However, it wasn’t just Nakuul’s comment that made caught our attention, it was the fans’ reactions that stole the show.
Many expressed their desire to see the two actors share the screen.
The idea of a collaboration between these two stars has ignited excitement, with fans envisioning a cross-border Netflix film or series.
On the professional front, Yumna Zaidi is currently starring in the drama Qarz E Jaan opposite Usama Khan.
Meanwhile, Nakuul Mehta remains a household name in India with his impressive body of work.
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