Talk:Woman Holding a Balance

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Netherlands

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File:Johannes Vermeer - Woman Holding a Balance - Google Art Project.jpg to appear as POTD soon

Hello! This is a note to let the editors of this article know that File:Johannes Vermeer - Woman Holding a Balance - Google Art Project.jpg will be appearing as picture of the day on September 20, 2016. You can view and edit the POTD blurb at Template:POTD/2016-09-20. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. — Chris Woodrich (talk) 23:54, 6 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Picture of the day

Woman Holding a Balance is an oil painting by Dutch Baroque artist Johannes Vermeer. Opinions on the theme and symbolism of the painting differ, with the woman alternatively viewed as a symbol of holiness or earthliness. The woman's actions have likewise been interpreted in several ways; at one time the painting, completed 1662–63, was known as Woman Weighing Gold, but closer evaluation has determined that the balance in her hand is empty. The painting is held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.Painting: Johannes Vermeer

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Interpretation

To me, it looks like the woman is pregnant and using a divining mechanism to determine whether the baby will be a boy or girl. I'm surprised the article doesn't mention possible pregnancy. Akld guy (talk) 03:19, 20 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

@Akld guy: My thoughts exactly. WikiDan61^ChatMe!_ReadMe!! 13:48, 20 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

@Akld guy: Further research shows that several of Vermeer's women appear pregnant, and commentary is divided as to whether they actually are, or if this is just an aspect of the fashion of the day. WikiDan61^ChatMe!_ReadMe!! 13:52, 20 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe I'm just being literal-minded here, but it looks to me like she is making sure that the balance is, well, in balance. As in calibration of an instrument. If the balance is supposed to represent justice or judgment, then the act of calibration could be used to reinforce the idea of giving/getting exactly what is due. 32.212.48.121 (talk) 21:52, 20 September 2016 (UTC)[reply]