. . . . . "Palettes. The texture of light the Astronomer (1668), Johannes Vermeer, (Delft 1632-1675), Louvre Museum, Paris"@en . . . "Johannes Vermeer"@en . . . "Astronomer by Vermeer, 1668"@en . . . . "Vermeer's painting, the Astronomer (1668), is used to illustrate the characteristics of the artist's work. Although only 34 of Vermeer's canvases are known, the Astronomer shares with the artist's other pictures the variation on an enigmatic interior scene. The artist's meticulous style is described and the apparatus such as the camera obscura, used to assist the rendering is revealed. Vermeer's use of light is examined, in particular his employment of pointillism, a technique that presaged the development of Impressionism by two centuries."@en . . . . . "Musée du Louvre." . .