Vermeer's World

A frustrating lack of information has made Vermeer’s life and work the subject of enormous speculation. A mere thirty-five paintings have been ascribed to this seventeenth-century genius, and their incredible luminosity, lyricism and composition make them some of the most beloved and intensely studied artworks in the world. Focusing on Vermeer’s native city, Delft, the author brings to life a world of Dutch merchants, sea traders, servants, and artists. She reviews the complete catalogue of Vermeer’s oeuvre—presented here in all its astounding color—analyzing his technique and subject matter and comparing him with his contemporaries. The result is a biographical and historical portrait that deepens our understanding of the artistic genius, even as it whets our appetite for more information about an elusive man.