Cover Girl
The title ‘Cover Girl’ explains the appropriation of Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’.The assimilation and recycling of iconic art in popular culture is seen frequently in the world of cinema and advertising. In this instance, the viewer can decide to whom the term cover girl applies as there are two universally familiar women sharing the spotlight. It could be both as they are both female icons in their own right. The classical splendour of Vermeer’s girl is, I feel, accentuated rather than diminished by our 1930s cartoon siren. Although Vermeer’s sitter is softly represented in contrast to the sharp lines of Betty Boop, she emerges easily in front of the caricatures. The girl with the pearl in my painting is actually wearing gold Chanel earrings with diamonds, to bring her into modern times.
The difference is seen further by the spherical drop pearl rather than Vermeer’s teardrop cut.The viewer will also see the Betty Boop leaning out of the right of the frame is also displaying a pearl rather than the customary yellow hoops she usually sports. Again, with all of these works that look at the Old Masters, it is my privilege to attempt any re-creation of these mythical paintings. I am constantly aware that I will produce only an imitation possessing a superficial understanding and grasp of the majesty of the original. Any idea that an artist can achieve more is a delusion. It is an honour simply to try to reproduce a ‘feel’ of the original.
Oil on Canvas | 76cm x 87cm
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