Artist Joe Fig Debuts New Works in Exhibition that Records One of the Largest Gatherings of Vermeer Paintings to Date
‘Contemplating Vermeer’ transports visitors to Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Sarasota, Fla — Compelling paintings encourage people to pause, study and connect with the artists, the subjects and each other. Figurative painter Joe Fig is well known for documenting these interactions with his “Contemplation” series, an ongoing body of work that transports viewers to museums and galleries around the world and invites them to behold some of art’s most renowned masterpieces — and the beholders who attentively view these artworks. He debuts 16 new paintings in “Contemplating Vermeer,” on view Nov. 17, 2024-April 13, 2025 at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design. The exhibition presents Fig’s acute observations of a 2023 sold-out exhibition of Johannes Vermeer’s work at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The largest exhibition ever organized of the Dutch master’s works to date featured 28 of his 37 known paintings.
“I enjoy capturing the historical nature of exhibitions. They are up for a limited time and very fleeting. My paintings allow me to share these art exhibitions with people who may not have the chance to see them otherwise,” said Fig. “I traveled to Amsterdam specifically for this project as this was the last major gathering of works by the master painter in my lifetime. These works are considered among the most prized treasures of every museum collection and are rarely lent out, so this installment of my ‘Contemplation’ series cements that moment in time.”
As Fig’s “Contemplation” series centers on keen observation, his artistic process to develop the paintings is rooted in that very practice: contemplation. The artist studies the compositions and techniques of the works on display while also reflecting on installation design, the lighting and wall colors. He wanders the galleries in search of engaged visitors, letting colors, patterns and textures guide him. In Amsterdam, gallery walls saturated in deep hues, rich velvet curtains that cascaded alongside Vermeer’s paintings and people who stopped to gaze at the timeless works caught Fig’s attention.
Back in his Sarasota, Florida studio, Fig studied the photographs from his visit. He carefully selected the details and painstakingly configured the placement and scale of the spectators to perfect the balance of light, shadow and color before he started to paint on canvas — a part of the process Fig calls “contemplation.”
“Fig has been exploring our collective and individual experiences of engaging with artwork in public spaces for over a decade. Much like a visual anthropologist, he has an astute interest in distilling what we see and how we physically experience it in real time and space. In ‘Contemplating Vermeer,’ he further challenged himself by recording Vermeer’s jewel-like paintings along with the museum visitors,” said Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., senior curator at Sarasota Art Museum.
“Vermeer: Woman Holding a Balance / Rijksmuseum” finds a man and woman gazing at Vermeer’s work that hangs against a deep teal wall. The woman, with a vibrant red jacket tied around her waist, holds the hand of her companion dressed in a light blue sweater that compliments her darker blue top. Another onlooker’s orange skirt pops against the teal gallery wall. “I loved how the couple held hands, and I loved her red down jacket. Their posture also plays a huge role in the composition,” Fig said.
A security guard manning his post gets a supporting role in Fig’s “Vermeer: The Geographer / Rijksmuseum.” The museum employee dressed in a solid dark uniform appears in contrast to visitors wearing stripes and floral patterns, allowing Fig to achieve diversity in the composition.
Fig traveled from the Rijksmuseum to the Mauritshuis in The Hague to see Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” an artwork that was included in the Rijksmuseum’s exhibition for a limited time but returned to the Mauritshuis before Fig arrived in Amsterdam. The red walls in an adjacent gallery inspired Fig’s interpretation of the Mauritshuis’ presentation of the work. A woman standing closest to the room wears a long red skirt while another woman on the opposite side of the painting is cloaked in a vibrant red shawl. A man who stands between them wears blue with hints of red visible in the collar and cuffs that extend beyond his blazer.
“Vermeer’s paintings are known for their contemplative moods, and Fig captures the awe viewers experience, allowing us to vicariously participate in that once-in-a-life time opportunity. Fig’s meticulous, quiet paintings with lush colors, in turn, make us hyper-aware of our act of looking and the roles both artist and viewer play in the sphere of artistic exchange,” said Yoon.
While Fig depicts the people in the galleries, he also mimics Vermeer’s process as he replicates the renowned paintings. Fig has long been interested in Vermeer’s artistic practice and the legends surrounding it. As a young artist, Fig saw five Vermeer paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and three in The Frick Collection. He also found inspiration in the film “Tim’s Vermeer,” which documents the protagonist’s attempts to paint a Vermeer using optical aids.
Fig shares his inspiration and techniques with students at Ringling College of Art and Design, where he serves as the department chair of the fine arts and visual studies programs. Sarasota Art Museum is a vital resource in his instruction.
“Sarasota Art Museum is an institution where students and all members of the community can explore and foster their creativity through rotating exhibitions and educational experiences,” said Virginia Shearer, Sarasota Art Museum’s executive director. “The Museum also serves as an incubator for emerging and established contemporary artists, providing a space for them to experiment, teach and facilitate meaningful dialogue about the art of our time. Exhibitions like ‘Contemplating Vermeer’ showcase innovative artistic techniques and empower both artists and visitors to engage with new perspectives.”
Fig’s works have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are housed in numerous museums, including Fogg Museum at Harvard University, Chazen Museum of Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Norton Museum of Art, the New Museum and the Toledo Museum of Art among others. He authored the acclaimed books “Inside the Painter’s Studio” and “Inside the Artist’s Studio” and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts, New York.
“Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer” is organized by Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design and curated by Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., senior curator, Sarasota Art Museum.
“Joe Fig: Contemplating Vermeer” at Sarasota Art Museum is made possible, in part, with generous support from platinum sponsors Judy and Fred Fiala and silver sponsors Keith Monda and Veronica Brady and Janis and Hobart Swan.
Related Public Programs:
Opening Day Talk and Book Signing: Joe Fig
Nov. 16, 1-3 p.m.
Free to Museum members, $20 for not-yet members (includes Museum admission)
Enjoy an engaging conversation between artist Joe Fig and Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D. as they explore the themes and inspirations behind Fig’s exhibition, “Contemplating Vermeer.” Discover the evolution of Fig’s artistic journey, the conceptual development of his “Contemplation” series and the unique insights that shaped the works on view. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or curious about the intersection of contemporary and historical influences in visual culture, this talk promises a thought-provoking look into Fig’s creative process and his homage to Vermeer.
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