Ex Glande Quercus - From Acorn to Oak

Art is extremely unique in its ability to tell a story.  It needs not any visual aids, or embellishments; the works speak for themselves.  The story, in most cases, is whatever the viewer interprets the work as; it may be exactly what the artist was attempting to express, or it may be something completely different.  In either case, if the work manages to incite in the viewer’s imagination some form of tale, it has done its duty. 

The Milkmaid by Vermeer

Take the image adjacent, for instance.  To me, it tells the story, at least in part, of this woman’s life.  Her role in society; her class in the hierarchical system.  I would say she is not a poor woman, given the wealth of clothing she is wearing and their different colours, suggesting an ability to afford various colours of fabric.  Moreover, she is not overly skinny, suggesting enough wealth to afford food; also, her complexion is rather pale, indicating she does not do menial work in the fields.  That said, I wouldn’t classify her as part of the aristocracy, given the apparent conditions of the walls and floor, as well as the fact that she is performing such a task.  No, rather I would assume she is the servant of someone of affluence and of means.  The room she is in could be either her quarters in a much more grand establishment, or her own home.  She appears to be preparing an evening meal based on the fading light protruding from window.  I would also guess that she is French; for what reasons, I do not know – it’s what the image conveys to me. 

Her expression seems fixated on the task at hand, but also on the future.  There is a slight sense of apprehension visible in her face.  She is worried, but tempts to mask this by burying herself in her duties.  Or perhaps she is masking sorrow or loss.  The use of shadow to the right of the image surrounding her face creates ambiguous mystery.  Uncertainty as to what they day may hold.

Any piece of art can bring forth a wealth of possible tales.  It all depends on one’s mindset and imagination.  Personally, I see things objectively, so the story I see unfold is merely a reflection of the events taking place in the picture at the moment.  An analysis of the image is the story to me.  But that’s me; how about you?