“Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace” is a painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, dated around 1662. This oil on canvas work measures 45 x 55 cm and is a prime example of the Baroque period’s genre painting. The artwork is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany.
The painting depicts a young woman in an interior setting, dressed in a rich yellow gown with a white fur-trimmed wrap. She is standing in front of a mirror, although her reflection is not visible to the viewer. Her attention is focused on the pearl necklace she holds lightly between her fingers. Her posture and expression suggest a moment of quiet contemplation or adornment. The room is softly lit, creating a play of light and shadow over the scene, enhancing the delicate textures of her attire and the surrounding objects. A large window, draped with a heavy curtain, provides the source of light, while to the left of the composition, a table covered with a richly patterned cloth holds various items, including a blue pitcher and a casket which indicate wealth or status. The painting is imbued with the tranquility and attention to detail characteristic of Vermeer’s works, capturing an intimate moment in a young woman’s life with tender finesse.
