The Geographer,17th century artwork by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). This artwork was finished in 1669,and forms a pair with The Astronomer (V700/157),also by Vermeer. The original is in the Steadelsches Kunstinstitut,Frankfurt,Germany. The two paintings depict the scientific revolution that was taking place in 17th-century Europe. In geography,increasingly accurate maps were being made. It is thought that van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) is the person used as the model for this painting. It shows a geographer holding a pair of dividers as he leans over a map. The terrestrial globe (upper centre) was made by Jodocus Hondius in 1600,and is a twin to the celestial globe in The Astronomer. At upper right,is part of a map of Europe. Vermeer's signature is on the cupboard,below the globe and to the right of the geographer's head |