the astronomer johannes vermeerThis work by Johannes Vermeer has been the subject of numerous studies over the last few centuries concerning the place of science, and more particularly astronomy, in the 17th century landscape. The subject, absorbed in his task, surrounded by a panoply of ordered measuring instruments, leaves no room for the viewer. The artist treats the sole light source of the astronomer, like his master Rembrandt, by using chiaroscuro. This technique consists of