Jan Vermeer (1664) Woman holding a balance
But what is she balancing? (The scales in the painting are empty). Note painting of Final Judgment in background.
Jan Vermeer (1664) Woman holding a balance
But what is she balancing? (The scales in the painting are empty). Note painting of Final Judgment in background.
! Also see http://www.nga.gov/feature/vermeer/composition1.shtm
To add to that: there is discussion amongst experts on the question if Vermeer’s women are pregant. There are experts who say it is only the women’s clothing that bulges. There are others, and I agree with them, who are adamant that, for example in this painting, the woman holding the balance is pregnant and that ignoring the pregnancy means the painting’s interpretation suffers.