Iconology

Vermeer - Girl With a Pearl Earring 

The date of completion is unknown for this piece although it is estimated to have been around 1665. According to some sources it is unknown as to whether this painting was commissioned and the figure in the piece is also unknown.

The girls intense gaze captures the viewers eye. This is an unconventional portrait, although it is beautifully done.

James Abbot MacNeil Whistler - Portrait of My Mother: Arrangement in Gray and Black

This painting of the artist's mother was done in 1871. His mother posed for the painting. There are varying stories behind the piece: one being that another model did not show, and his mother stood in. Another being that he had wanted to paint his mother standing, but she was uncomfortable.

Thomas Lawrence - Sarah Goodin Barett Moulton: "Pinkie"
 1794

Sarah Goodin Barett Moulton was the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. The painting was commissioned by her grandmother around the time the girl left her home to go to school. She died only a year after the painting was completed.

Frans Hals - The Laughing Cavalier
1624

While the figure in this painting is unknown, it is interesting that the figure is not actually laughing. The shape of his moustache creates this illusion.

John Singer Sargent - Madame X
1884

The woman pictured, Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau was the wife of a wealthy socialite. She was rumored to have had many infidelities, and in the original painting, her left dress strap was around her shoulder. This, however, was too suggestive and so it had to be changed.

The painting was done at the request of the artist.