Appropriation

Appropriation

The Original Piece is named Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer who was one of the greatest painters of the Dutch, but his life was miserable that he didn't sell one painting when he was alive, and he had been forgotten by people for more than one century after he died. Until the middle of the 19th century, his talents and achievements were finally recognized.

This oil painting is one of his famous works which drew a girl who wears a pearl earring is watching towards the painter of the audiences. Her lips open slightly, as if she is telling something. And her eyes are beautiful and pure, which just like the pearl that symbolizes the pure soul of the beautiful girl.

 This is the new image I appropriated. The icon I use is Marge Simpson, who is a cartoon figure in the famous animated sitcom The Simpsons. This animation by showing family lives of the Simpsons to humorously satirize the lifestyles, social and cultural phenomena in America.

For the appropriation, I subvert the original painting which is beautiful and makes people feel comfortable and serene into the new image which is funny. The appropriation gives the new meaning that when the girl is looking at you with the face of Marge Simpson, it has no longer the feeling of pure beauty which is aesthetic but restrained and distant. Instead it gives the sense of humor and intimacy, which makes audience feel easy and closely as if she is looking at you as your friend.