Adapt and Transform

MISTRESS AND MAID

To find a plain box or a modern looking one and make it authentic?

On the table lies a fancy veneered box, most likely to be used to hold jewelry or love letters.

THE GUITAR PLAYER

To modify a modern guitar of today?

The guitar was just coming into vogue in the 17th century as a popular instrument for solo accompaniment.

'The ornate hand-carved sound hole is rendered with an astounding calligraphic shorthand of thick blobs of impasto paint which miraculously describes the way light rakes across the uneven shiny surface.'

A LADY STANDING AT A VIRGINAL

To buy a plain white tile and just Vermeer's iconic blue pigment to create a delft tile?

'Other than two simple white jugs seen in his earlier compositions, these hand-painted baseboard tiles were the only homage Vermeer paid to the renowned Delft porcelain production. The humble tiles, which were so cheap that they sometimes served as ballast in ships sailing abroad, protected the plaster walls from the daily assault of brooms, mops and scrubbing brushes. Each tile was decorated separately with scenes of daily life including children's games such as walking on stilts or flying kites. The tile directly to the left of the woman's gown depicts a Cupid who is fishing.'

THE GLASS OF WINE

To find a large picture frame, modern of not and adapt it to look like it was from this painting?

'The sumptuous gilt frame adds greatly to the aesthetically rich yet measured pleasure of the picture.'

To modify a vase to look like an authentic jug?

'These all-white tin-glazed containers were originally produced in Faenza, Italy. In the 1550s they were exported to all over Europe and by the late 16th and early 17th century had become very fashionable.'

Charity shop hunt in self directed study me thinks!