Imagine a solitary bird confined by circumstances beyond its control, bound and alone. Does it resonate with you? In these unusual times, we find solace in remarkable stories. Delve into the tale of the Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius.
When you hear The Goldfinch, what do you conjure? The exquisite oil painting? The Pulitzer Prize-winning book that took the literary world by storm? Or perhaps the film featuring Nicole Kidman? This narrative meanders from 1654 to the modern era. Who claims that art is reserved for musty galleries and the elite?
Carel Fabritius (1622–1654) lived during the Dutch Golden Age. Picture Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. These artists meticulously captured the nuances of daily life during a period when the Dutch excelled in cultural, economic, and scientific advancements. Born in 1622, Fabritius began his career as a carpenter before honing his craft under Rembrandt’s guidance, earning respect from his peers.
Fabritius exhibited extraordinary potential as an artist, and one can only speculate how many of his creations might have adorned galleries around the world today. Tragically, he met his end at the young age of 32 during a catastrophic explosion that obliterated most of his oeuvre. In 1654, a staggering 90,000 tonnes of gunpowder ignited in a Delft warehouse due to a wayward match. The painting The Goldfinch, completed in that very year, remains one of the few art pieces to survive. Egbert van der Poel’s A View of Delft after the Explosion of 1654 poignantly captures the night’s devastation.
Author Donna Tartt recognized the appeal of this tragic narrative. After eleven years of work, her nearly 800-page novel became a bestseller and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2014. Critics noted it as “a book that challenges the intellect while stirring the soul.”
It unfolds as a coming-of-age saga where 13-year-old Theo Decker’s life is shattered by a bomb attack at a New York gallery that claims his mother’s life. In shock, he escapes, clutching the painting The Goldfinch. Tartt guides us through the next 14 years of Theo’s tumultuous journey, spanning New York to Las Vegas to Amsterdam, with the painting remaining his secret solace and emblem of his grief and alienation. I won’t divulge any more of the plot; however, as we all have some downtime now, I highly recommend immersing yourself in this remarkable tale.
The extensive praise for the novel sparked interest in its film adaptation. Initially pitched as an Amazon series, it eventually released as a feature film in 2019 directed by John Crowley. Despite the star-studded cast and crew, the film received mixed reviews, potentially due to the challenge of condensing such a vast narrative into a two and a half-hour runtime. The original concept of an eight-part series might have managed the intricate plotlines better. Regardless, take a chance on the film; if anything, enjoy the stunning visuals curated by cinematographer Roger Deakins.
But what is it about this diminutive painting, miraculously preserved from Delft’s destruction, that captivates us so deeply? It measures only 33.5 cm × 22.8 cm (13.2 in × 9.0 in), depicted on rough wood. The artwork features a life-sized European goldfinch resting on a blue feeding box, tethered by a delicate chain to a wooden ring. The understated whitewashed wall serves as its backdrop.
Goldfinches have been cherished pets since ancient Roman times due to their intelligence and melodious songs. In art, birds often appear in various roles: as backgrounds, symbols, or as subjects in still life. However, a bird as the focal point of a portrait was unprecedented! The raw honesty and simplicity of this piece stand apart from others of its era. The swift, energetic brushwork suggests movement, while the meticulous attention to detail in the chain brings an added layer of contrast.
This is another Fabritius painting with a similarly melancholic feel.
Despite thorough examination by art historians, the narrative behind the Goldfinch painting remains elusive. Indications like nail marks suggest it may have been part of a furniture piece or possibly a decorative panel, an enigma that continues to perplex scholars.
The Goldfinch is permanently showcased at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. This enchanting painting draws considerable crowds; in 2014, 200,000 eager viewers lined up to witness it during its New York exhibition.
Perhaps it is the secrets embedded in this solitary illustration that render it so evocative and significant. Its delicacy tugs at the heartstrings, yet its tenacity to endure across 350 years resonates powerfully, especially in our current circumstances. It communicates to us through the ages. As Donna Tartt beautifully articulates: “it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch.”
Now, you can acquire a copy of The Goldfinch for yourself, included in our Great Masterpieces Postcards Set.
For those looking to delve into their own artistic journey, consider joining a workshop at Art Tutor Hanoi, where creativity is nurtured through drawing and painting classes designed for beginners, travelers, and expats alike.
