Painting

16 X 20 The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius was painted in 1654. The simplicity of this painting was very unusual for the Dutch Golden Age and has been the subject of books and movies. Goldfinches were a popular pet since they had long been associated with bringing good health and could be taught simple tricks. This bird was frequently used in Italian Renaissance paintings because of its symbolism. The original was thought to be discovered in the artist workshop after a gunpowder explosion that killed Fabritus at the young age of 32. It is thought that Vermeer may have been a student of Fabritius because of the similar use of color used in backgrounds of paintings. This particular painting was missing for decades before it resurfaced in Brussels. Today it is now in the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague Netherlands. Frame Description Galerie White