Johannes Vermeer
Biography
Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) was a Dutch painter of the Baroque period, celebrated for his exquisite use of light, color, and perspective. Born in Delft, Netherlands, Vermeer spent his entire life in his hometown, where he became a member of the local painters’ guild and established a modest but highly refined career.
Vermeer is best known for his domestic interior scenes, often depicting women engaged in everyday activities, such as reading letters, playing instruments, or pouring milk. Works like Girl with a Pearl Earring (c. 1665) and The Milkmaid (c. 1658) demonstrate his mastery of light and texture, capturing the quiet intimacy of ordinary life with extraordinary realism and subtle psychological depth.
Despite his immense talent, Vermeer was not widely recognized during his lifetime and produced a relatively small number of works—around 34 are definitively attributed to him. He also faced financial difficulties and personal challenges, including raising a large family.
Today, Johannes Vermeer is celebrated as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age, renowned for his meticulous technique, serene compositions, and the poetic quality of light that defines his timeless masterpieces.