Johannes Vermeer

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Antique map of Delft, Netherlands by Blaeu J. 1649

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Jesuite Kerk, Abraham Rademaker, SA Delft, inv.nr. 5691.tif

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Johannes Vermeer (1632 – December 1675) was a Dutch painter who specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime. He seemingly was not wealthy, leaving his wife and children in debt at his death, perhaps because he produced relatively few paintings.

Vermeer worked slowly and with great care, using bright colors and sometimes expensive pigments, with a preference for lapis lazuli for blues. He is particularly renowned for his masterly treatment and use of light in his work.

Biography

Johannes Vermeer was born in the city of Delft in the Dutch Republic in 1632. Little is known about his early life and training, but it is assumed that he apprenticed under a local master painter and joined the Delft painter's guild as a master in 1653. He lived in Delft all his life, where he was also active in the guild as an art dealer.

Vermeer married Catharina Bolnes, a Catholic, in a nearby village in 1653. The couple moved into Catharina's mother's house in Delft, where they would live for the rest of Vermeer's life. They had 11 children, though not all survived to adulthood.

Artistic Career

Vermeer's work was highly regarded by his contemporaries, but he was not widely known outside of Delft and Amsterdam. His paintings were mostly domestic interior scenes, landscapes, and a few religious and allegorical themes. Vermeer's technique involved careful composition and the use of light to focus the viewer's attention.

One of his most famous works, The Girl with the Pearl Earring (c. 1665), exemplifies his skill in the use of color and light. Vermeer's interest in optical effects is also evident in his work. He may have used a camera obscura to help him observe and capture light and perspective.

Legacy

After his death, Vermeer fell into relative obscurity, with his works often attributed to other artists. It was not until the 19th century that he was rediscovered, and his work began to be appreciated for its beauty and technical skill. Today, Vermeer is considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

His paintings are known for their serene beauty and meticulous detail, qualities that have contributed to his reputation as one of the most admired painters in the history of Western art. The limited number of his surviving works has added to his mystique, with only about 34 paintings confidently attributed to him.

Influence

Vermeer's influence on subsequent artists has been profound. His techniques and approach to composition and light have been studied and emulated by many painters, including those involved in the Impressionist and Realist movements. His ability to create intimacy and tranquility in his scenes continues to inspire artists today.

See Also

• Dutch Golden Age painting
• Genre painting
• History of painting