Vermeer

My Favourite Artist

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was a Dutch master of the Golden Age, known for his stunning, light-filled paintings of everyday life. He was born and lived most of his life in Delft, Netherlands, and was a contemporary of other great Dutch artists such as Rembrandt and Frans Hals.

Very little is known about Vermeer's life, as no contemporary biographies or letters have survived. Most of what we know about him comes from contemporary legal and financial documents, such as tax records and sale inventories. From these, we know that Vermeer was a successful artist who lived comfortably and was a member of the Delft Guild of Saint Luke.

Vermeer's paintings are known for their luminous quality and meticulous attention to detail. He used light and colour to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in his scenes, which often feature women and children in quiet domestic settings. He also frequently used mirrors and windows to reflect light into his scenes and create a sense of space.

Vermeer's paintings were not widely known during his lifetime, and it wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that his work gained widespread recognition. Today, he is considered one of the greatest artists of all time, and his paintings are highly sought after by museums and collectors around the world.

Vermeer's most famous works include "The Girl with the Pearl Earring," "Woman with a Balance," and "The Art of Painting." These works, along with many others, offer a glimpse into the world of 17th-century Dutch society and reveal Vermeer's mastery of light, colour, and composition.