VOA慢速英语--研究发现“戴珍珠耳环的女孩”的秘密

Researchers have used high technology methods to learn secrets about a famous painting by the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer.

The painting is called "Girl with a Pearl¹ Earring²." Vermeer is considered one of the masters of his art. He worked during the Dutch Golden Age of painting in the sixteen hundreds.

The researchers' tests have not discovered the identity of the mysterious woman in the painting. But, they have revealed important information about how Vermeer did the painting, which is sometimes called the Dutch "Mona Lisa."

In an online presentation this week, Martine Gosselink, Director of the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, described some recent research findings.

"Sadly we didn't find out who this young lady was and if she ever really existed. But we did get a little closer to her," she said.

Researchers and museum workers placed the painting in a special glass room in early 2018 so visitors to the museum could watch as researchers studied the work.

A careful examination of very small pieces of paint showed where some of the painting's pigments⁴ came from.

The white that helps form the earring comes from lead from the Peak District in northern England.

The blue is made from a valuable stone found in Afghanistan.

The red is made from insects that live on cactus⁵ plants in Mexico and South America.

Abbie Vandivere was leader of the research project. She expressed surprise that Vermeer used so much blue in the painting, noting: "This blue pigment³ was more valuable than gold in the 17th century."

Vermeer, however, did not have to travel the world to get his materials. He most likely bought them in his hometown of Delft.

The research findings do not just show details about Vermeer's materials, "but also tell us about Dutch and world trade in the 17th century," Vandivere said.

The research also uncovered the order in which Vermeer painted the girl on a piece of cloth.

Infrared⁶ imaging showed that Vermeer began making the work using brown and black paint. He then drew the girl's outline in black lines before working from the green background to the foreground.

"The girl has, sadly, not revealed her identity, but we have got to know her better," Gosselink said.

A statement on the museum's website describes the woman as imaginary. The painting "is not a portrait, but a ‘tronie' – a painting of an imaginary figure," the website says.

But, the public will have to wait until they can see the painting in real life. The Mauritshuis is currently⁷ closed, along with all other Dutch museums and galleries,

These closures are because of restrictions⁸ aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus.

I'm John Russell.

Words in This Story

presentation – n. an activity in which someone shows, describes, or explains something to a group of people

museum – n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public

pigment – n. a substance that gives color to something else

infrared -- n. technical: producing or using rays of light that cannot be seen and that are longer than rays that produce red light

reveal -- v. to make (something) known; to show (something) plainly or clearly : to make (something that was hidden) able to be seen

imaginary – adj. not real : existing only in your mind or imagination

portait – n. a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person that usually only includes the person's head and shoulders

figure – n. a drawing or representation of a person

1 pearl   

n.珍珠，珍珠母

参考例句：

• He bought his girlfriend a pearl necklace.他给他女朋友买了一条珍珠项链。
• The crane and the mother-of-pearl fight to death.鹬蚌相争。

2 earring   

n.耳环，耳饰

参考例句：

• How long have you worn that earring?你戴那个耳环多久了？
• I have an earring but can't find its companion.我现在只有一只耳环,找不到另一只了。

3 pigment   

n.天然色素，干粉颜料

参考例句：

• The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls.古罗马人在织物和墙壁上使用天然颜料。
• Who thought he might know what the skin pigment phenomenon meant.他自认为可能知道皮肤色素出现这种现象到底是怎么回事。

4 pigments   

n.（粉状）颜料( pigment的名词复数 )；天然色素

参考例句：

• The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls. 古罗马人在织物和墙壁上使用天然颜料。 来自辞典例句
• The original white lead pigments have oxidized and turned black. 最初的白色铅质颜料氧化后变成了黑色。 来自辞典例句

5 cactus   

n.仙人掌

参考例句：

• It was the first year that the cactus had produced flowers.这是这棵仙人掌第一年开花。
• The giant cactus is the vegetable skycraper.高大的仙人掌是植物界巨人。

6 infrared   

adj./n.红外线(的)

参考例句：

• Infrared is widely used in industry and medical science.红外线广泛应用于工业和医学科学。
• Infrared radiation has wavelengths longer than those of visible light.红外辐射的波长比可见光的波长长。

7 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

8 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制