This essay takes as its focus two paintings by Johannes Vermeer (1632-75), The Milkmaid c.1661-62 and Woman Holding a Balance c.1662-65, and considers critical approaches to the artist by four historians: Edward A.Snow, Lawrence Gowing, John Michael Montias, and Martin Pops. Its aim is not solely to describe Vermeer's art, but by a process of comparative analysis to discern the various standpoints of his biographers, and to clarify their methodologies in research.
Author Biography
NP James studied painting with Frank Auerbach and Keith Vaughan at the Slade School of Art. In 1972 he initiated The Gallery, 65a Lisson Street, staging projects between artists until 1978. He worked as a house-writer on the Dictionary of Art (Macmillan London & New York) contributing over eighty entries. With Anna Douglas he co-authored Artists Stories (AN Publications 1996) . With Sarah Batiste he edited Cv Journal of Art & Crafts 1988-92, forming Cv Publications in 1992 and Cv/Visual Arts Research in 1995. He contributed articles to Art Monthly, Artists Newsletter and weekly reviews to What's On In London. He taught in a variety of schools and adult education institutes from 1970, also lecturing on postmodern culture at Middlesex University.
