Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Vermeer" captures the essence of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer’s art, celebrating his ability to depict everyday scenes with profound beauty and simplicity. Through his careful attention to light and detail, Vermeer transforms the mundane into something deeply meaningful and universally appreciable. Nemerov's poem reflects on the artistic process and the impact of Vermeer's work on both the artist and the viewer.

The poem opens with an appreciation for Vermeer’s approach: "Taking what is, and seeing it as it is, / Pretending to no heroic stances or gestures, / Keeping it simple; being in love with light / And the marvelous things that light is able to do." This introduction sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing Vermeer’s dedication to realism and his fascination with light. Vermeer’s modesty and focus on the ordinary are highlighted as central to his charm and the seductive quality of his work.

Nemerov describes Vermeer’s love for "daily things" and his ability to find beauty in the commonplace. This admiration for the painter’s "care for daily things" reflects a respect for the way Vermeer captures moments of everyday life with a delicate touch, elevating them to the level of art. The imagery of "sunlight falling through / A leaded window" evokes the quiet, intimate scenes that Vermeer often painted, where light plays a crucial role in defining the atmosphere and mood.

The poem goes on to describe the "holy mathematic" of Vermeer's compositions, likening them to a cat's cradle—a children's game of creating patterns with string. This metaphor suggests the intricate and precise relationships within Vermeer’s paintings, where every element is carefully balanced and interconnected. Even the "inexorable," or the inevitable aspects of life, are domesticated and transformed into something charming through Vermeer’s lens.

Nemerov expresses a desire to convey the essence of Vermeer’s art to the reader: "If I could say to you, and make it stick, / A girl in a red hat, a woman in blue / Reading a letter, a lady weighing gold ..." These references to specific Vermeer paintings illustrate the intimate, everyday moments that Vermeer captured with such grace and precision. Nemerov longs to communicate the beauty and significance of these scenes, hoping to evoke a shared sense of appreciation and understanding in the reader.

The poem culminates in a reflection on the timelessness and universality of Vermeer’s art: "In a lost city across the sea of years, / I think we should be for one moment happy / In the great reckoning of those little rooms / Where the weight of life has been lifted and made light." Here, Nemerov suggests that Vermeer’s work has the power to transcend time and space, offering a moment of shared happiness and understanding that lightens the burdens of life. The "little rooms" in Vermeer’s paintings become sanctuaries where the complexity and weight of existence are transformed into something lighter and more bearable.

The final lines of the poem shift to a broader, more contemplative view: "Or standing invisible on the shore opposed, / Watching the water in the foreground dream / Reflectively, taking a view of Delft / As it was, under a wide and darkening sky." This closing imagery evokes Vermeer’s famous painting "View of Delft," encapsulating the serene and reflective quality of his work. The mention of "watching the water in the foreground dream" suggests a meditative state, where the viewer becomes absorbed in the scene, experiencing a deep connection with the past and the timeless beauty of Vermeer’s art.

In "Vermeer," Howard Nemerov pays homage to the painter’s ability to capture the ordinary with extraordinary sensitivity and precision. Through his poetic reflection, Nemerov invites readers to appreciate the subtle beauty and profound simplicity of Vermeer’s work, celebrating the transformative power of art to reveal the deeper truths and enduring moments within everyday life.

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