Common Links Among Molenear Paintings

All of the paintings use realism to illustrate the daily lifestyle of the artists society and to bring a deeper meaning to the moral imperative. In “The Dentist,” Molenaer expresses an average dental visit of a person in the 17th century. The realistic view helps to express the immorality of the dentist and the realization of him as an unscrupulous person. In “The Procuress,” Molenaer expresses the reality of woman being sold as prostitutes. This realistic outlook helps to condemn the service being provided without over-an

The artists use of concealed allegory in all of his paintings, adds intrigue to the painting, and compels the viewer to search for the deeper meaning behind the obvious front. In “The Dentist,” the obvious front is that of an uncaring dentist. However, Molenaer used this image as an obvious attack on the institutions and rituals of the Catholic Church. Like the dentist, the Catholic Church took money from the people, even peasants who had very little money. The Church was very scandalous at the time and was accused of being more concerned with money than its obligations to religious service. Molenaer expresses this view in a very clever concealed allegory. In “The Procuress,” the concealed allegory is not as noticeable. The hidden allegory is reflected by the stream of light from above on the figures. It represents the ever-present and all-knowing light of G-d, which exposes the sinful nature of the activity. The activity, clearly is not one that G-d should shine his light upon, so Molenaer is expressing the religious view that life should be in accord with the light of G-d. In “Allegory of Vanity,” there is the presence of more than one concealed allegory. First, while the woman is surrounded by a variety of material possessions, the little boy creates soap bubbles which presumably will soon pop. In addition, a skull sits on the floor beneath her foot. Therefore, the young woman\'s world of beauty and possessions on a deeper level is destined to deteriorate, burst, and die. Besides this, another concealed allegory in this painting is expressed by the monkey inserting his paw into the slipper and the young woman wearing a ring on her finger. The monkey inserting his paw into the slipper symbolizes the fact that the woman is a prostitute, the ring is a reward for her service, and the older servant becomes a procuress who markets her services. The concealed allegories, though are not the first thing noticed by the viewer, add a deeper meaning to the painting.

imating it. In “Allegory of Vanity,” Molena

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