The Visual Trick That Dutch Painters Perfected

Expanding our perception of painted space

The Slippers (c.1655-60) by Samuel van Hoogstraten. Oil on canvas. 103 × 70 cm. Louvre Museum, Paris, France. Image source

Take a moment to consider this painting by the Dutch artist Samuel van Hoogstraten.

We find ourselves looking through three successive doorways, with the first marked by the narrow edge of a door with an iron latch cast in dark shadow. Beyond, a sequence of rooms unfolds, each one distinguished by the clay floor tiles.

Now observe that a broom and a towel have been left beside the second of these doorways. Then, at the threshold of the third, a pair of slippers lies on a straw mat, clearly just kicked off.

As with many Dutch paintings of the 17th century, this image may seem at first to lack drama, but by directing the viewer’s sight through a series of visual cues, the layers build and the plot thickens…

A narrative begins to emerge

Detail of ‘The Slippers’ (c.1655–60) by Samuel van Hoogstraten. Oil on canvas. 103 × 70 cm. Louvre Museum, Paris, France. Image source

Let us suppose: judging by the utilitarian implements left unattended, the house’s maidservant has just finished her errands (or hastily abandoned them). She has entered the room that is normally locked — note the set of keys hanging from the door, painted…