• Jewellery box and jewellery-> earthly treasures-> represent one’s concern with vanity and material possessions
• Mirror-> Represents vanity and self knowledge-> Notice that the woman is not looking at herself in the mirror
• Woman-> Possibly Vermeer’s wife. Her expression is serene and skin pale and smooth-> upper class woman. Although she has a serious expression, she is at peace
• Dress-> It appears the woman is pregnant but might not be. Maybe because pregnant women are never portrayed in art during this time period. Also during the 17th century it was fashionable to wear bulky layers. Further, it can be speculated that she is wearing the blue outfit of Mary
• Hat-> The style of cap is worn by many of the Vermeer women. It is a customary and functional hat worn in informal and intimate situations
• Jacket-> Worn by upper class women. Made of fur-> common and practical during the 17th century as no central heating invented
• Scale-> Contrary to popular belief woman is not weighing anything. It is placed near the geometrical center of the painting. It becomes literally and figuratively the center of attention
• Window-> Small amount of light filters in from the small opening
• ‘Last Judgement’ painting-> Adds religious basis to painting. Christ is weighing souls
• Focal point-> Orthogonal lines from the edges of painting meet at the balance making it the focal point of the entire work
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