By Nina Heyn
It so happens that all four Vermeers that can be found in collections in London are about making music. The most elaborate of them is actually called The Music Lesson, acquired by King George III in 1762. This canvas spent about a hundred years misattributed to other Flemish artists (either Frans or Willem van Mieris), but it was eventually identified as a Vermeer in 1862. As part of the Royal Collection, it does not leave Buckingham Palace for exhibitions—you have to go and see it. I did just that this fall.
“whereas Catholics would have embraced music as a connection between the earthly and the divine.” Growing up in an Italian very working class Catholic neighborhood in Buffalo, NY brought back profound memories of my best friends for life homes. The Italians all had pianos and were devoted to our church choir. We didn’t have a piano, not that our being of Polish, German, and Irish roots had anything to do with that. My best friend of 60 years is still taking piano lessons and playing for me next week. Thank you, Nia and Catherine for as always, reminding us of our infinite connection with the divine through art.
Beautiful. Thank you.