Europe Blog # 3: Amsterdam
Everyone has a story! In such a short time, we met a variety of people from chefs, hotel staff, taxi drivers and other folks with interesting professions. This chef came from Italy. He is making his version of fresh lasagna..
People believe Northern Europeans don't eat vegetables. Looks like "veggies" to us!?!?
Scissors used to cut a gourmet pizza
Evening view from top of hotelHotel guests can rent an umbrella
Pedestrian zone filled with tourist shops, French fry places, kinky stores and...
...pot stores. The city center smells like pot!
This museum is a wonder! The building is filled with famous and not so famous (but equally) magnificent pieces. Magnificent museum!
We're ready to see and enjoy centuries of art
These are just a few of the many stain glass windows recognizing artists and philosophers
Not sure the purpose; but she was being photographed
Period paintings provide a glimpse of how people dressed and went about their everyday lives
Perhaps an educated man
Somewhat rare, these scenes show happiness, joy, etc.
Still life paintings: Symbolism - each item represents some aspect of life, mythology, etc.
In this case, the artist is showing a well-to-do family. Children are playing games. A housekeeper is returning from an errand.With legs spread apart, wealthy man is engaged with a beggar woman while the daughter is staring out at the viewer (or in this case) what is happening in front of her.Look carefully. What appears as nothing is happening, women are going about with their everyday life.
Seeing a Rembrandt painting in person is specialA different technique was used for this painting: See close up below
A pallet knife was used to put heavy amounts of paint on the man's jacket to give the viewer a sense of "sparkle" and a 3-D perspective.
Rembrandt's "Night Watch" is being restored. The light brown/gray color on the far right side is varnish being painstakingly removed.
Specially trained staff look through a microscope as they restore the painting. It will take ten years to finish the project.
This area is finished
"The Milkmaid" by Vermeer. Light coming in front the window helps to hi-lite the young woman and the items on the table. Gorgeous!
Clever perspective -- Looking through the doorway
