Friday, November 28, 2008

Antique Inspiration For A Modern Look

An Anthropologie catalog came in the mail today. I never toss them in the trash unopened. I pour over ever page. I may have said this before, but I'll say it again. I love their design aesthetic. I'm inspired by their advertising savvy. Each catalog is an artistic delight.

I noticed something tonight and just wanted to ask if you see the similarities too.

Anthro advertisement:

Vermeer painting:
Anthro advertisement:



Vermeer painting:

Anthro advertisement:

Vermeer painting:

Anthro advertisement:

Vermeer painting:

By the way, I thought you might like to see the scale of Vermeer's intricate masterpieces.

Because of the refined detailing, I had imagined that they would be rather large, instead they are almost miniatures. I don't suppose he listened to his art instructors when they said "Draw bigger, fill the whole space!"
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13 comments:

  1. julie kingNovember 28, 2008 at 7:24 PM

    what an eye you have! you are so right that these ads seem to have been inspired by vermeer paintings. i particularly seem the similarity in light from the windows. can you imagine painting that kind of detail in such a small format! amazing!

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  2. Christian - Modobject@HomeNovember 28, 2008 at 9:15 PM

    So much of Anthropologie's "modern" look seems to be inspired from the past, which is why I think so many people are drawn to the store and its delights. Sharp eye, Stevie!

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  3. MuseSwingsNovember 28, 2008 at 11:23 PM

    It's all about the effect of natural lighting! Beutiful post and wonderful comparisons. I always imagined his paintings were much larger! Thanks for the art and artful lesson.

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  4. ArtPropelledNovember 29, 2008 at 4:00 AM

    I enjoyed the comparisons, Stevie. Anthropologie's adds are beautiful.

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  5. SparkyNovember 29, 2008 at 7:51 AM

    Those are indeed excellent comparisons, Stevie! I will have to look at that magazine much closer next time. I didn't know how wonderful it is. Thanks! ♥ ∞

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  6. Alexandra MacVeanNovember 29, 2008 at 1:02 PM

    Good afternoon, Steviewren. I really liked this post...it was inpsiring to me. The pictures remind me of like England or Ireland...and the natural light really sets each of them off.

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  7. Anna LeflerNovember 30, 2008 at 9:34 AM

    Oooh...I'm the same way about the Anthropologie catalog! I always feel like I'm looking at Alice in Wonderland...but with chic car coats and unusual shoes. I love when it arrives!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog - I'm so glad you did... Yours is terrific and I look forward to reading more of your posts...

    Enjoy your Sunday...

    :^) Anna

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  8. Alexandra MacVeanNovember 30, 2008 at 2:41 PM

    Howdy ho, neighbor! :) Hope you're having a good weekend!

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  9. Tess KincaidNovember 30, 2008 at 2:49 PM

    Mine hasn't come yet! I love it, too!! Their store in Philadelphia is the BEST! It's in a gigantic old mansion downtown. Fabulous, absolutley fabulous. You would go nuts!

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  10. TeriNovember 30, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    What a wonderful magazine! I feel like I am missing something by not having one :) Thanks for sharing this.

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  11. nanatrishNovember 30, 2008 at 8:41 PM

    Stevie, as someone else said, "You really have a good eye!" They do look so similar. They do have that same feeling. It's a look that makes me feel all warm and cozy.
    Neat post! You should teach art!

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  12. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiDecember 1, 2008 at 3:17 PM

    I've always loved Vermeer's paintings, and you've shown my favorite -- the first painting of "The Milk Maid" I have that image as a blue Delft tile.

    I never knew Vermeer painted in such minature! I think I've read he painted very few paintings his entire lifetime and that he was such a perfectionist. His wife had to pay their butcher bill with a painting after his death as they were so poor.

    I don't get the Anthropologie catalog --I think I'll send away a request for it!

    It's always a surprise when people see Da Vinci's Mona Lisa for the first time in the Lourve and are surprised by how small it is.

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  13. steviewrenDecember 1, 2008 at 10:19 PM

    Pat, you are right about being surprised at the size of the Mona Lisa. But, I was more surprised about the Vermeers. It just seems that they should be so much larger. I had a friend take a photo of me beside a Vermeer at the Louvre, just to record the size. I wish I had done the same in front of David's Coronation of Napoleon. It's unbelievably big.

    I had my picture taken beside Venus de Milo too...I don't know what the heck I was thinking...there's no comparison!

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I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to your comments. As Dr. Fraser Crane would say, "Hello, I'm listening."