Girl with a Pearl Earring (c. 1665-1666) by Jan Vermeer

Girl with a Pearl Earring - Jan Vermeer - c. 1665-1666

Artwork Information

TitleGirl with a Pearl Earring
ArtistJan Vermeer
Datec. 1665-1666
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions44.5 x 39 cm (17 1/2 x 15 3/8 in.)
Current LocationRoyal Cabinet of Paintings Mauritshuis, The Hague
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About Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl With A Pearl Earring by Jan Vermeer is a masterpiece from the Dutch Realist genre painting. Also called ‘The Head of a Young Woman’, ‘Portrait of a Young Woman with a Turban’, ‘Woman in Oriental Dress’ and ‘Girl with a Pearlban’, this amazing painting depicts an imaginary young woman dressed opulently emerging from the darkness. The figure looks straight into the viewer eyes and holds her gaze. Her exotic dress and pearl earring are revealed through the play of light and dark that Vermeer’s perfected in his magical compositions.

Vermeer skillfully used his great control over color to capture attention and create intensity. Within this composition, he used color as contrast to express the story behind the painting. His sense of tones brings life to one of his most engaging images- a young girl dressed in slightly oriental clothing adorned with a single pearl earring.

Another masterpiece from Vermeer was View Of Delft which also happens to be one of his most celebrated works for its stunningly accurate representation of its cityscape view at different points in time. Each detail is delicately painted, including streets, windmills, churches, quays filled with ships, sailors enjoying their beers right next to tourists or even men taking part in various activities such as fishing or washing carpets! An awe-inspiring piece of artwork created with such finesse that it became famous not only amongst art enthusiasts but also amongst general public.

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