Jan Vermeer’s ‘The Girl With The Red Hat’ is among the artist’s smallest works, at just 22.8 x 18 cm in size. Unlike many of his other paintings, this work was painted on wood panel instead of canvas. It depicts a young woman wearing a blue dress, red hat, and earrings.
Although it is not entirely clear whether the painting was intended as a portrait or tronie (a type of Dutch painting depicting an exaggerated facial expression or costume), ‘The Girl With The Red Hat’ showcases Vermeer’s use of the camera obscura technique. This technique allowed him to achieve an incredible level of detail and depth in the painting.
Despite its small size, this painting exudes immediacy and intimacy that make it stand out from Vermeer’s other works. It can be viewed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
As one of Vermeer’s most well-known and beloved works, ‘The Girl With The Red Hat’ has captured the hearts and imaginations of art lovers everywhere. Its intimate portrayal of a young woman makes it both visually stunning and emotionally resonant – a testament to Vermeer’s mastery as an artist.