Gabriel Metsu’s a View into a Hall

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of the house is bright, the background gradually gets darker to interpret a shadow effect. The artist fills up the dark bakground with figures to lead the viewer’s eyes into observing the situation behind the girl, jester and the dog. Metsu’s use of these two elements of space and movement is what makes this setting in the artwork a playful and active environment.

The frame holding the art piece is combining both a playful and serious subject matter. The playful aspect of the frame is its three dimensional perspective. The frame’s structure and color blends in with the theme of the work by acting as an entrance door into the house where the girl, jester and her dog are first seen since the color looks quite similar to the door in the painting. The frame’s three dimensionality can create this illusion as if the viewer is actually right in front of their doorstep. This leads into the serious aspect of the frame. It acts as an

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entrance into viewing what is actually happening inside the wealthy household which can be up to the viewer to interpret the situation.

Looking at this piece of artwork, light and dark tones can influence the painting in a playful manner, while space and movement influences it in a more serious manner. By looking more closely, the frame supporting the painting can display a combination of both by showing three dimensionality. A View into a Hall, a Jester, Girl and her Dog can display these qualities that cannot be obviously seen by first looking at it. That is why the audience can interpret the subject matter differently by visualizing the piece up close and together as a whole. It is up to the viewer based on how they decide to view it. Whether it is a view into a similar subject matter such as joyfulness and seriousness, or perhaps both.

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