A Masters in My Hands

My project was to recreate a master's painting into a photograph. I knew the painter that I wanted to portray, but making the photograph as close to the painting was a bit of a challenge. I was excited to challenge myself in new ways to produce this image. I had to get creative with my lighting, set, and positioning. Usually I do not photograph myself, but to relay the concept I needed to be the model. The original master painter I choose was Johannes Vermeer. He is known as the Painter of Light. He is one of my favorite artists. His painting are of natural settings/landscapes and usually include women. The painting I wanted to replicate is titled, Woman Holding a Balance. The painting has lots of beautiful light, natural light that lays upon a room, with a woman holding a balance. To re create the image I had to get creative with lighting, which I used construction lights outside of my formal dining room. I had to design a set/stage of a scene that depicts myself and the objects in front of me on a table. I did not want to directly replicate Vermeer's painting, but utilize his uses of light and composition.

Woman Holding a Balance, Vermeer



Woman Balancing Her Life, Amy Ritchie





















In Vermeer's masterpiece, he notes a woman holding a balance. Laid out on the table is worldly riches of gold, pearls, and other jewelry pieces. Behind her a painting of The Last Judgement. She is balancing her life and her religion. Treasuring her soul rather than the precious worldly metals. She is delicate and beautiful. The light from the window lays upon her content face looking down upon the balance.
I am very happy with the outcome of my process. I love the light, my composition, and the concept - which is myself balancing my life. In one hand I delicately hold my wedding rings, and in the other hand is my cell phone. On my desk sits a camera, papers, my calender, and some personal belongings. At this moment in my life I am exhausted trying to play a wife, a student, a scholar, and friend. This is how I look at home, in my snuggly pink robe, hair all a mess, and no make-up. This is a raw depiction of me. I am overseeing my life and how to balance it.


The second part of this project was to relay the message from the original painting. I have done my best to depict balancing between life's riches, and the riches of religion, and an afterlife. In one part of the balance lays precious metals, diamonds, and crystals. In the other lays a symbol of Christ in that of a rosary. It is up to each of us to weigh our needs, wants, and keep the balance of a fruitful life - whether it be in material things or our own souls.



Balance the Riches of Life