What is the connection between Proust and Vermeer? The 20th century French writer, Marcel Proust, and Jan Vermeer, the mysterious 17th century Dutch painter?
Proust loved Vermeer, and he weaves many observations about the painter into his brilliant novel, A la recherche du temps perdu. Some are laughable and some more decidedly profound.
In the first volume of this epic work, Du côté de chez Swann, published exactly 100 years ago, Proust begins modestly enough, with the title character, Charles Swann, intermittently writing an essay on Vermeer. Over time, everyone in Swann’s world becomes at least passingly familiar with the painter and Proust pokes fun at some of the misconceptions these characters have about the anonymous and ultimately unknowable Dutch master.
However, when Proust’s character, the novelist Bergotte, drags himself out of his sick bed in order not to miss seeing Vermeer’s View of Delft in Paris, on loan from the Mauritshuis Museum, Vermeer’s genius is the catalyst for some of Proust’s highest and most moving drama.
All Vermeer’s known works are featured in this half-hour Proustian tour-de-force.
Directed by Richard Voorhees
(Available in English or in French with English subtitles)
Proust loved Vermeer, and he weaves many observations about the painter into his brilliant novel, A la recherche du temps perdu. Some are laughable and some more decidedly profound.
In the first volume of this epic work, Du côté de chez Swann, published exactly 100 years ago, Proust begins modestly enough, with the title character, Charles Swann, intermittently writing an essay on Vermeer. Over time, everyone in Swann’s world becomes at least passingly familiar with the painter and Proust pokes fun at some of the misconceptions these characters have about the anonymous and ultimately unknowable Dutch master.
However, when Proust’s character, the novelist Bergotte, drags himself out of his sick bed in order not to miss seeing Vermeer’s View of Delft in Paris, on loan from the Mauritshuis Museum, Vermeer’s genius is the catalyst for some of Proust’s highest and most moving drama.
All Vermeer’s known works are featured in this half-hour Proustian tour-de-force.
Directed by Richard Voorhees
(Available in English or in French with English subtitles)
