By Raima Joseph
"Delilah. Such an introvert.” they called her. While the whole class made a ruckus, Delilah was busy painting her thoughts and creating a world of her own in the little sketch-book of hers. Hesitant of being judged, she never tried chatting with others. Each time she attempted, each time she turned towards a classmate, she'd turn around and walk away. I saw her trying to catch a bus and while running, her sketch-book fell off her bag. "I shall give this to Delilah as soon as I reach school." I decided. On the way, I browsed through her book. The more I turned over the pages, the more I wanted to know about her. She had a story. Just like all her paintings, Delilah had a story to tell. "I won't be eating with you all today as I have some business to attend to.” I told my friends during recess. I rushed to the library, that was where Delilah spent her time during recess. I went in and sat with her. 'The Girl with the Pearl Earrings' was the title of the book she had her nose in. "What's that that you are reading?" "It's a book about what this painting symbolizes.", she whispered, replying to my question. At that moment, I did not care about what she was reading. So, without any further questions, I returned her book saying, "You dropped it while you were trying to catch the bus.". "I was looking for this all over the school! Thank you.", she said. "You are quite an artist!" I appreciated her paintings. Delilah, being her mysterious, solitary self, gave a graceful smile. I took a book and started reading as well, hoping for a slight gesture of interaction. Right after she exited the library, I picked up the book she was reading and got it issued for a week. This time, it wasn't her who was attempting to make a friend but me. Gradually, little gestures of friendship turned into words, words turned into sentences and before we even knew it, Delilah and I became very close. "It's not about the painting, it's about the perspective." she told me while showing me one of her favourite paintings, "Take a look at this painting of a Milkmaid by Vermeer. The sunlight is bright enough to display the woman's face but not too bright that it would wipe off the rough texture of the bread's crust. The most encaptivating feature of this painting is that one can never tell if her downcast eyes and pursed lips show wistfulness or concentration.". I was completely amazed by whatever she told me. She gave me a whole new prospect of art. Each night I read 'The Girl with the Pearl Earrings'. The painting shows a European girl wearing an exotic dress, an ethnic turban and a large pearl earring. This painting gave birth to a new perspective of economics, society and romance in its artistic way. But, the one thing that has made an imprint in my mind is that you can never tell if the girl is coming towards you or turning away from you. Her charming face portrays anticipation and nervousness simultaneously. "Delilah. The girl with the Pearl Earrings.", I called her. Each day she taught me something new, just as I taught her to live carefreely and socialize. Everyone relished her paintings. She took part in art contests and won a few too. Each day she had a new painting to show, or rather a new story to tell me. "Did you know that Michelangelo’s most famous piece of art in the Sistine chapel shows a human brain?", Delilah asked, "Through his painting, 'The creation of Adam', Michelangelo meant to evoke God’s bestowal of intelligence on the first human.
Don't you see it? All these amazing artists did was leave subtle hints hidden beneath their realistic paintings. It's just like figuring out what the clues to a puzzle mean!". The whole class avoided her because of her shyness. Little did they know that she was busy in her imagination. Now that she knew what friendship felt like, she couldn't stop talking to others.". “Delilah. Who knew she could be so chatty?" they said. We became the best of friends. Well, after passing out of school, Delilah and I went to separate colleges. I did my graduation from a reputed university to pursue my career as an Art Critic and a Professor. "This painting," said I, pointing at the painting displayed on the smartboard, "teaches us a good deal about women belonging to wealthy upper-class families in the 17th century. 'The Music Lesson' by Vermeer, paints yet another depiction based on women's role in society and what he sees as righteous and beautiful. The most striking trait of this painting is that, since Vermeer has displayed more than one instrument, the viewer's mind is convinced to imagine music playing in the scene.". I shift my gaze upon my students and continue to lecture, " Do you see how the sunlight fills this scene? Light can be seen between the roof beams, between the strings of the viol and in the folds of the fabric. But, if you look carefully, you will see that Vermeer has painted the mirror in a dark colour since it faces downwards. Hence, he shows that the sunlight does not reflect on the mirror. Vermeer is thus known for the exact execution of the scene.". As I finish my lecture and begin to step outside the room, I see Delilah, talking to some of my students. She has grown to be a delightful lady, whom everyone wants to talk to. Smiling, I think to myself, " That is Delilah. Not The Girl with the Pearl Earrings."
By Raima Joseph