Review №1

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, and Cillian Murphy

Director:  Peter Webber

Synopsis: The film represented a fictional story of creating the most famous Johannes Vermeer’s picture, in maid his maid was the sitter (The screenplay was adapted by screenwriter Olivia Hetreed based on the novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier)

Review

The action of the film was happening in 17th century in Dutch Republic. The famous artist Johannes Vermeer, is an art-captured man, who saw the inspiration in ordinary things. His pictures are created under the different influence and two of them he drew with the help of his maid, Griet. The motion of her hands and head during cleaning the window inspired him to make a beautiful picture. But the most important picture of his life was also written with Griet’s help but, moreover, the young lady was the sitter.  

The 17th century claimed the special atmosphere and costumes and, in my opinion, people who were responsible for it made their job very well. Every house, every dress and every act told that the action took place in the Dutch republic of that time. Rich women wore beautiful dresses and made hairdos, while maids were in dim, grey clothes with cap under which it was impossible to see their hair. They slept in cellars and had no warm clothes for winter-time.

I should mention the Scarlett Johansson’s performance because I think she represented Griet in an expert manner. Her behavior with the master and mistress, her smiles to Pieter and her fear of Van Ruijven seemed to me realistic and I believed her. Colin Firth is a genius actor and, for sure, he coped with his work. He could show a seeking artist who spent more time with art then with his family. The scene when he was searching for the wife’s jewel demonstrated his agony and aggression which he hid during the film. Other actors were also great in their performance and made the film interesting and professional as well.

The film deeply impressed me and I am still under its influence. I mentioned that the characters spoke not much and this peculiar added something special to it. I need not words because there were enough only actions. I enjoyed every scene in the movie and they seemed me very touching and light. Johannes Vermeer’s paintings, the process of his work made me appreciate his art. I saw Vermeer’s passion, Griet’s interest, Mrs. Vermeer’s unhappiness and jealousy, and Pieter’s love. Actually, the film did not have an interesting plot or thrilling actions but I like it so much because of its calm and tenderness which the actor brought in it.

Individual Reading №6

Chapters 50-58

The narrator gave a story about Abraham, a man with great talent in the medical sphere. The man had good job and perfect future perspectives but he had left all this stuff and moved to Greece, where he earned a little. But he seemed his happiness in this freedom which he had only there. On the other side, there was Alec Carmichael who instead of Abraham had become a well-paid doctor, who saw his happiness in success and money.

The narrator wanted to know more about Strickland’s life in Tahiti and Tiare helped him by telling some facts. Charles married to Ada, a seventeen-year old girl, who deeply loved the husband. Strickland continued to draw; Ada did not interrupt him and made everything he wanted. Then their babies were born but the artist did not suppose them his because he was interested only in art, he had his passion to create beauty. Their house stood far from the town and they enjoyed freedom and loneliness. Then the narrator found out that Charles got ill, he had the typical appearance of the leper. Ada did not live him alone and shared with him last year of his life. People were afraid of the illness and became very aggressive towards this family. The baby-girl, the Strickland’s daughter, had died and Charles was going to. Several years later he passed away, leaving the greatest creation of his life: he had drawn the walls of their house but then Ada burnt it because of his desire. Strickland he had been blind for nearly a year but did not stop to draw.

The life of this man was finished and Ada with their son moved where began a new life. The narrator returned to London and decided to tell Mrs. Strickland about the life of her husband. That day one man came; it was a reporter who was writing about the great artist. The narrator told everything in details, except Ada and the son. Despite everything, Mrs. Strickland was proud of her husband and even had his pictures in her house.

The End

Individual Reading №5

Chapters 41-49

Strickland was not invited in the narrator’s house but it seemed that he did not need to have permission. He behaved relaxed and usual in the house and even let himself sharpen jokes. The narrator did not hide his hate to him but at the same time he wanted to know specialities about his life and relation to recent events. Blanche Stroeve was only a model for him while the woman fell in love with him. During drawing the picture he was interested in her presence but then she began to remain him his former wife but it did not bring happiness. Charles showed his pictures to the narrator and they seemed awful and odd he could not imagine how popular they would after several years after Strickland’s death.

The narrator saw Charles in Paris and then the latter moved to Marcel. The idea of writing this book came to the author in Tahiti because there he had known again the artist. The captain told him how Charles arrived there. Strickland desired to go to East, in Australia or New Zealand, and he refused offers connecting with the USA. One day was successful for him because one ship needed a worker and Charles agreed because it let him escape anger of his enemy. In France his belongings were sold but his pictures were not successful and later people understood how wrong they had been: Strickland’s pictures became famous and expensive.

Individual Reading №4

Chapters 31-40

Next day after Stroeve’s coming he left the narrator though the latter asked him to stay. Dirk was a weak-willed man without self-respect and because of it he began to follow his wife Blanche but did not get any answer from her. She did not want to speak to Dirk and even see him. The narrator could not understand his behavior and recommend him to leave Paris and move to Holland, his native country. However, Stroeve supposed to be necessary to Blanche and stayed. The narrator had no explanation why the woman had behaved that way and helped Dirk by sending a letter to her with Stroeve’s feelings. One evening he met Charles and Blanche and spent little time with them but could not recognize whether she was happy or not because her face did not show anything.

Several days later Stroeve came to the narrator in a panic and informed that Blanche tried to kill herself. She did not die and was sent to the hospital. Dirk was absolutely destroyed by this news and asked the narrator to help. The woman did not want to see anyone even the narrator whose Stroeve took for this purpose. The doctor did not predict her future condition because horrible consequences were possible. Next week Dirk visited the hospital but the nurse did not let him to see her. Blanche felt worse and worse and was going to die in two or three days. Once Dirk again came to the narrator and the latter understood that the woman had died. Stroeve made up his mind to move to Holland but before it he told about his meeting with Strickland and his picture. The widower hated him but the picture impressed him greatly he could not destroy it. His wife was depicted on this piece of art and Charles gifted it to Stroeve. Next month the narrator had seen anyone he knew but later he met Strickland who had a visible desire to communicate with him.

Individual Reading №3

Chapters 21-30

 

The narrator invited Strickland to the restaurant and used the behavior of indifference to get information from him. It was a successful method and soon the former found out what he wanted. Charles opened his mind and seemed as a man without human feelings but with abnormal passion. He did not care about his family, his apartments and money and was interested in art. The only he wanted to draw despite he liked neither of his own pictures. Moreover, he even went against the narrator to see the pictures. The narrator needed money but also refused to show them to the narrator buy one.

Charles’ character let him say what he wanted to anyone and Dirk Stroeve was one of his targets. The former found Dirk’s weakest point and hit there. The nature of Stroeve did not let him to be offended at his words for a long time and new and new grins towards him changed nothing. One day the narrator and Dirk decided to search for Charles because did not see him for a month. It emerged that the latter was very ill and because of his conditions Stroeve decided to bring him at his house. However, Mrs. Stroeve was strongly disagree and looked for something bad with Strickland’s coming. She hated him with her whole heart but had to give up and even care of Charles. She and her husband spent all days near his bed but had never heard words of thankfulness.

One day Dirk came to the narrator in a grief and informed him that Mrs. Stroeve had left him because of her love to Mr. Strickland. Despite of Dirk’s attempts to talk around her, the woman had chosen Charles. Dirk loved his wife more than himself and let them life in the Stroeve’s house. He himself happened to have no home and no wife.

Individual Reading №2

Chapters 11-20

On the way to Paris the narrator began to feel his mission difficult and hopeless because he had seen Mr. Strickland a few times and thought he had no rights to discuss Charles’ personal life. The man expected to find him in a fashionable hotel; however, the address brought him in a cheap one. Their meeting was not successful because Mr. Strickland refused to return. Moreover, the narrator was confused by Charles’ relation to his wife and children because the man did think about them and was not interested in their future at all. The narrator was informed about Charles’ desire to become an artist and start to draw. Mrs. Strickland perceived this information through hate to the husband and decided not to apologize him ever. Her sister took caring about the children and Mr. Strickland had to provide money only for her.

After five years the narrator left London to Paris and saw Charles again. It happened after the narrator’s meeting with his old friend Dirk Stroeve. In his opinion, Dick was not a talented artist but he sold his pictures successfully. The narrator did not like commonness in his art and tedious style of drawing. Dirk told him about Charles and the narrator came to see the latter. Charles had changed; he did not seem as a successful artist because of his appearance. The narrator noticed a lack of money. Dick recognized Charles’ pictures original and interesting and Charles himself as a man with great talent.    

Individual Reading №1

Chapters 1-10

This novel is written from the point of view of the narrator, who told us about the artist Charles Strickland. The former had a chance to know his person with great talent and he shared his memorials with readers. Mr. Strickland would have been unknown if Maurice Huret had not written the article about him. After it he became famous and debated, his works seemed extravagant, his reputation was established by critics. The narrator faced him at the first time in the Stricklands’ house and he did not impress him: the man seemed boring, ordinary and no art-oriented. But his wife was his opposition; the woman was interested in art and in people connecting with the world of art. The narrator spent several lunches and dinners in the Stricklands’ house and found out that the family was typically one where the members of it love and respect each other. Except the parents there were the sixteen-year old son and the fourteen-year old daughter. No one could suppose that some changes were going to happen in thethis family.

The last time the narrator saw the Stricklands they were going to holiday and he promised to visit them in autumn because he left London as well. The day of next visiting was full of information which the narrator did not expect to get. It was nonsense that Mr. Strickland left the family and moved to Paris. His wife received the letter which informed about his decision. The woman was in grief and only wanted to return him. The narrator was asked to go to Paris and meet with her husband. He did not like the idea but could not refuse and promised to do his best. 

Pleasure Reading №7

Chapters 43-47

Carrie enjoyed her success and life without Mr. Hurstwood in a small flat for 3 dollars per week. The life seemed to Carrie free and interesting, the roles in the theater successful; she even started to receive letters from men who asked her to meet with them for any money. May be earlier Caroline paid attention to them, but not now. Now she, Miss Medenda, had publicity, money and freedom, her photos were in any papers and everyone in New York knew her. The manager of the theater offered her 150 dollars per week and the manager of a fashionable hotel asked Carrie to live there to engage tourists.

Being alone Hurstwood did not know how to survive because he still had no work, no money and no Carrie. Having spent leaving money, the man lost hope of a normal life, his only way was to live by begging. Only one time he came to Carrie and asked her money. Their ways became completely different and nothing would unite them.

One day Mr. Drouet visited Carrie but he no longer seemed to her as an upper-classed man with charm and elegant clothes, the woman had the opposite feelings. Carrie talked with him once in her room in a new hotel and stopped think about him. From the conversation she found out about Hurstwood’s money story but did feel nothing except pity. Hurstwood’s daughter married with a rich man and with Mrs. Hurstwood they traveled to Europe. Carrie did not hear more about her former lover because he had died. Caroline had everything what earlier had seemed to her the high of life but she was not happy and all her life she spent in such feelings.

The End

Pleasure Reading №6

Chapters 37-42

Mr. Hurstwood lost hope to find a job and have money in a moment when he had only 50 dollars for food and their flat. Day after day the husband seemed to Carrie as a weak and good-for-nothing man, he gave up in attempts to find job, he even did not try to find because he spent whole days at home. An interesting thought came in Caroline’s mind that she herself had to earn money. She needed some days to find a job in the theatre, where she got 12 dollars per week. Firstly all her money was used to pay for a flat and food but then Carrie’s heart began to protest.

She did not appreciate that Mr. Hurstwood had no work and their relationship got worse and worse. The director in the Carrie’s theatre noticed her talent and made her the main actress there with 18 dollars per week. However, Caroline decided to hide information about it to let herself buy new clothes. She coped with her role but had to change the theatre in the near future because the troop was going to be on tour. Caroline did not go with them because of a lack of money and her husband. She became an actress of other theatre with 35 dollars per week and decided to break up relationship with Hurstwood because she was tired to pay for everything and saw the husband to do nothing to change the situation. One night when Mr. Hurstwood returned home, he found the letter and 20 dollars which Carrie had left him. He noticed changes in her behavior long ago when she spent much time outside and did not talk with him, but the man thought that Caroline would not leave him alone.

Pleasure Reading №5

Chapters 32-36

One day the brother of Mrs. Vance was introduce to Caroline and all evening she was enjoying his company.   His views impressed her because he did not give much importance to money; however, Carrie who had used to suppose the opposite decided that he was right. His words influenced her greatly and took her attention for some days. Caroline’s life seemed to her more and more ordinary and boring. Mr. Hurstwood, in his turn, had problems at work: the building with his bar was sold and he had no opportunity to pay for it to a new owner.

That time was difficult for Carrie because the Vance moved and Mr. Hurstwood thought about nothing except work. They changed a flat because of a lack of money and decline their purchases. The life and relationship within the couple got worse and worse, quarrels got more often and love disappeared at all. Mr. Hurstwood searched for any job without result and limited any entertainment for Carrie. They both regretted that they had left Chicago and had to live in such way.

The Vance returned to New York and Carrie met Mr. Vance by accident and the latter promised to visit her. Caroline did not want the woman to see conditions in which the Hurstwoods were living; especially she was ashamed of her husband who stopped to dress with care. Mr. Hurstwood did not find a job but to have some money went to casino but lost about 100 dollars though he had about 300. 

Pleasure Reading №4

Chapters 25-31

The Carrie’s dreams about happiness with Hurstwood failed completely after she had known about his family. She could not believe that he deceived her and was a reason to break up relationship with Drouet. Mr. Hurstwood, in his turn, left home but had to send money to the wife. His desire to be with Caroline forced and he made attempts to see her. One night, being the last worker at the office, he found amount of money and after doubts stole them. This decision meant a new life for him in a new city and the man was ready for it only with Carrie. To make her go with him, Mr. Hurstwood lied that Mr. Drouet was badly injured in an accident and the woman immediately went with him understanding nothing.

Doubts came in the Carrie’s mind at the railway station and only in a train to Destroyed everything became clear for her. Mr. Hurstwood explained his intentions to her having missed money and his possible arrest. Caroline could not oppose him for a long time and agreed to go to Destroyed and then to Montreal and New York. In Montreal a detective found them and suggested Mr. Hurstwood to return money and quietly leave Canada to New York. The man agreed and that money problem disappeared. The couple held a course to New York and settled there, by the way, they got married and to do it Mr. Hurstwood had to change his name.

After a year in a new city Caroline began to feel her life as not interesting and boring one and meeting with her new neighbour made her absolutely sure in it. Hurstwood found a job and even had success. Their love did not blind them more and the couple began to notice vices in each other. The man sent all time at work, the woman wanted to go out and communicate with people. Mr. and Mrs. Vance helped her to deal with the boring life by inviting to theatres and walks. 

Rendering №4

The article “Nearly 400-year-old secret painting in Rembrandt masterpiece revealed” was published on January 28, 2013 on FoxNews.com. It discusses that scientists may be one step closer to revealing a hidden portrait behind a 380-year-old Rembrandt painting. It is an open secret that the masterpiece, "Old Man in Military Costume" by Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, resides at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The author, Megan Gannon, mentions that scientists had noticed the painting bears faint traces of another portrait beneath its surface. It is necessary to point out that researchers had previously probed the painting with infrared, neutron and conventional X-ray methods, but could not see the behind the top coat, largely because Rembrandt used the same paint (with the same chemical composition) for the under painting and the final version. Analyzing the situation it is necessary to mention that new studies with more sophisticated X-ray techniques that can parse through the painting's layers give art historians hope that they may finally get to see who is depicted in the secret image.

It is clear that Alfeld and an international team used macro X-ray fluorescence analysis to examine a mock-up of Rembrandt's original, created by museum intern Andrea Sartorius, who used paints with the same chemical composition as those used by the Dutch master. The reporter tells that when bombarded with these high-energy X-rays, light is absorbed and emitted from different pigments in different ways. It is an open secret that the scientists targeted four elements of the paint to fluoresce, including calcium, iron, mercury and lead, and got much better impressions of the hidden painting in the mock-up than they were able to before. It is interesting to note that the successful completion of these preliminary investigations on the mock-up painting was an important first step. Moreover, the results of these studies will enable us determine the best possible approach to employ in our planned upcoming study of the real Rembrandt painting.

In conclusion the author considers that this isn't the first time scientists have delved into Rembrandt's paintings. Previous research revealed why his art possesses such calming beauty, finding the artist may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer's gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and "calmer" viewing experience. Essentially, the researchers found Rembrandt painted more detail in and around the eyes of his subjects, tapping into an innate human attraction to the face. As for my opinion, I think that the 21th century gives us lots of abilities to interpret and find out any pictures and any pieces of art. Rembrandt is a great painter and it will be interesting to analyze his works under the modern technology.

Rendering №3

The article “Life on the South China Sea” was published on February 12, 2013 in “The Art Newsparer”. It discusses Hong Kong’s maritime museum, which is going to be reopened on a pier in Victoria Harbour. The author,  Alexandra Seno, makes clear that Hong Kong’s museum-in-the-making of contemporary visual culture, attracts international attention, a museum that tells the history of the port city’s rise to global importance is due to reopen on 26 February. It is an open secret that The Hong Kong Maritime Museum is moving to a three-storey pier in the city’s central business district. The space will boast coveted views of Victoria Harbour and, at 35,000 sq. ft, will be six times bigger than the museum’s previous home, a colonial building in Stanley, a suburb of Hong Kong. It is necessary to mention that one of the highlights of the museum, which was founded in 2003, is an exhibition created around Pacifying the South China Sea, a rare and highly detailed Qing Dynasty scroll. It happens because historians consider the event vital to the Qing Dynasty’s ability to exercise power in the early 19th century.

It is pointed out that the work was acquired by the museum from a French family’s collection in 2006. It was made by an unknown artist in the early 1800s, around the time of the campaign. Analyzing the situation it becomes clear that other galleries will shed light on Hong Kong’s history as a world maritime capital, the evolution of seafaring life through the centuries, and the development of China’s export trade in ceramics and other coastal-based trades and industries. Anthony Hardy says that the museum also plans to bring at least two major exhibitions from world-class collections to Hong Kong in 2013. There are sighed that the new space will include 13 permanent galleries, two spaces for visiting exhibitions, a cafe and two shops. Representatives estimate that the museum, with its new, more convenient location and larger floor plan, can attract at least 140,000 visitors in its first year—more than triple the number it drew in Stanley.

In conclusion the author mentions that although the museum has the backing of the government, it is a privately run institution, and will be financed primarily by funding from the local shipping industry. Hardy, who is a collector, was the chairman of the Wallem Group shipping company until 2006, when he retired and focused his energy on the maritime museum. As for my opinion, I think that it is good decision to reconstruct the museum because it will help it to hold people’s attention and become more popular museum than now. 

Rendering №2

The article “The Starving Artist atMoMA’s Doors” was published on October 5, 2012 in NY Times. It discusses that the Museum of Modern Art without noticing, just outside the entrance on West 53rd Street, the lean, fresh-faced young man with paint-caked clothes standing next to his paint-caked table. The author, Corey Kilgannon, notices Mark Nilsson, 25, who for $50, he will depict you in a bold brushwork style, a unique, moody interpretation in acrylics on a stiff, nine-inch-square bit of paper. It is mentioned that people always talk about starving artists who die without ever seeing their work ascend to the walls of places like the Modern. Well, here is Mr. Nilsson, right outside its doors, in the prime of his starving period — starving for paying customers, anyway, ones willing to sit still for an hour for a likeness that is far from one of those sugary caricatures you get in Times Square. Moreover, many days, Mr. Nilsson, who has been working outside the museum since the summer of 2011, goes without a single taker.

Speaking about the artist the only problem of him is having to wait for work. The correspondent points out that people consider his works as great art but they do not recognize how fast those things are made. It is necessary to mention that for the past few weeks, a construction crew has forced him to a less opportune location, across the street from the museum’s entrance, where there seem to be fewer of the foreign tourists who make up the bulk of his clientele. Analyzing the situation Mr. Nilsson, who grew up in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and studied painting at the State University of New York at Purchase, is a common sight inside the museum, too, where he uses the bathroom and studies the Matisses and Cezannes on the fifth floor. It is an open secret that the well-appointed museumgoers, mostly tourists, seemed tickled to see the gangly artist in the paint-hardened jeans and splotchy shirt speaking passionately about the paintings. Ms. Moody admired Mr. Nilsson’s work space, a lightweight $30 card table now laden with thick layers of paint — really a huge palette that itself is a colorful curiosity to passers-by.

There was a friend teaching art in Taiwan who urged Mr. Nilsson to join him, and the couple from the Napa Valley who offered to fly him out for a few weeks to paint portraits, and the studio downtown that said it wanted to commission him to paint subjects it chose. In conclusion the author gives Nilsson’s former classmate’s quote: “You’re the only one of us I know who’s making a living painting’. In my opinion, art is a mandatory part of every person’s life. But for Mr. Nilsson art is more much bigger because his art is the life. I admire people who can draw because I cannot. 

Pleasure Reading №3

Chapters 17-24

Mr. Hurstwood gathered an elite audience to the performance to help Carrie to become successful but she was so nervous and the first act did not express her talent. She told her speech without necessary feelings but with a monotonous voice. Mr. Drouet came to Caroline during the intermission and tried to cheer her up and the woman did her best and impressed the audience greatly. Mr. Drouet and Mr. Hurstwood recognized that they wanted Carrie to be only their woman; however, the latter had no enough rights to stay alone with her. That day Carrie was successful and very happy and even Drouet’s company did not interfere with her.

Mr. Hurstwood was absolutely sure that he wanted to be with Caroline despite everything. He was not interested in his wife and did not want to communicate with her at all. However, having known about her husband’s lover, Mrs. Hurstwood decided to explain him that she needed only money from him. The man invited Carrie to go for a walk and asked her to leave Drouet again, the woman who did not know that Hurstwood was married, agreed only if he made her his wife. Meanwhile a gossip maid told Drouet interesting information from which he understood that his Carrie deceived him and dated his friend.

That evening their conversation was to understand what was happening between Carrie and Mr. Hurstwood. Mr. Drouet thought that it was not fair how Carrie behaved with him because he had helped her in a difficult situation. Firstly, Carrie denied but when the man informed her about Mr. Hurstwood’s wife, she could not deal with her feelings: she loved Hurstwood, respected him and trusted but he had lain her all this time. Drouet left her and Carrie again stayed alone.

Rendering №1

The article “Timeless Dutch painting displayed at de Young Museum” was published on January 31, 2013 in “The Daily Califonian”. It discusses the exhibition, where “Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis,” is a carefully selected group of 17th century Dutch paintings originally from the Netherlands’s Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, which is currently undergoing a major renovation. Addy Bhasin points out that known as the “Dutch Mona Lisa,” “Girl with a Pearl Earring” has seen much popularity in the last couple decades. The author makes clear that Author Tracy Chevalier based her 1999 novel “Girl with a Pearl Earring” on the famous Vermeer portrait. It is necessary to mention that little is known about Vermeer or the model of the world-renowned portrait. Analyzing the picture the author explains that the subtle flashes of light on the earring and in the eyes give the painting a mysterious effect of capturing a moment in time.

There are signs which set this portrait apart from others is the compelling expression of the girl. Her eyes immediately silence you — something that is apparent only in her presence. The correspondent mentions that she is small, but she is captivating; the aura of tranquility surrounding the portrait can be felt. Something important to note is how splendidly preserved the painting is. Recent renovations have been applied to it including varnishing and retouching to remove cracks in the paint. Though “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is certainly a good reason to make a trip to the de Young Museum in the coming weeks, other pieces should not be missed.  The journalist explains that an impressive collection of Rembrandt van Rijn’s portraits, sketches and etchings can be viewed in “Rembrandt’s Century,” a display that one can gain entry to with a ticket for the “Girl with a Pearl Earring” exhibition.  Highlights include Pieter Claesz’s “Still Life with a Lighted Candle” and Jacques Linard’s “Still Life of Exotic Shells,” along with a series of Jacob van Ruisdael’s portraits of the natural world and William Heda’s vanitas paintings.  It is an open secret that these works of art paint the Netherlands in a luxurious light. The display of exotic seashells, blooming bouquets and rich still life scenes reflects the opulent taste and wealth of the Dutch Golden Age of painting.

In conclusion Addy Bhasin told that the beauty of the majestic, turbaned woman is not temporary and with the beautiful refurbishing she will certainly draw crowds this spring. As for me, I like this picture because it makes me think about beauty of our world. Art always helps people to express their feelings or just enjoy it. And, of course, I agree with the author that “Girl with a Pearl Earring” will transport us to a world of yore — where beauty lay in invisible brushstrokes and piercing eyes.