Marcus Chen
Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most famous Dutch paintings of the 17th century. The painting depicts a young European girl wearing exotic clothing, an oriental turban, and a large pearl earring. The work is an oil painting on canvas and is estimated to have been created around 1665. While the identity of the girl in the painting remains a mystery, with some speculating her to be Vermeer's eldest daughter, Maria, it has inspired various literary and artistic works, including a novel by Tracy Chevalier and a mural by Banksy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Johannes Vermeer |
| Date | c. 1665-1666 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 44.5 x 39 cm (17.5 x 15 inches) |
| Signature | "IVMeer" |
| Current location | Mauritshuis museum, The Hague |
| Previous owners | Victor de Stuers, Arnoldus Andries des Tombe |
| Inspiration for | A novel by Tracy Chevalier, a Hollywood movie, a play, poems, and other artworks |
| Subject | A young European girl, possibly Vermeer's eldest daughter Maria |
| Type of painting | A "tronie", not a portrait |
| Clothing and accessories | Exotic dress, an oriental turban, and a large pearl earring |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's history and previous owners
"Girl with a Pearl Earring", painted by Johannes Vermeer, is one of his most well-known works. It depicts a young European woman wearing exotic dress, an oriental turban, and a very large pearl earring. The work is oil on canvas and measures 44.5 cm (17.5 in) high and 39 cm (15 in) wide. It is signed "IVMeer" but not dated. It is estimated to have been painted around 1665 and is currently on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.
The painting was likely one of two "tronies" (Dutch 17th-century description of a "head" that was not meant to be a portrait) in the inventory at the time of Vermeer's death. It may have later appeared in a catalogue for a 1696 sale of paintings in Amsterdam, described as a "Portrait in Antique Costume, uncommonly artistic". In 1881, the painting was put up for auction at the Venduhuis der Notarissen in The Hague, where it was purchased by art collector A.A. des Tombe for a negligible sum. Des Tombe's collection, which was open to visitors at his home in The Hague, included works by old masters as well as contemporaries.
Upon Des Tombe's death in 1902, he bequeathed 12 paintings, including "Girl with a Pearl Earring", to the Mauritshuis museum. The painting underwent restoration in 1994, which enhanced the subtle colour scheme and the intimacy of the girl's gaze. In 1995, the painting gained more recognition through a blockbuster exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the publication of a bestselling novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier.
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The subject of the painting
The painting has been described as an allegory of cultural syncretism, with the Dutch girl accompanied by two young mixed-race girls on a beach, personifying the descendants of Europeans in Latin America. The girl's expression is simple and enigmatic, with her head tilted slightly to one side, a gleam in her greyish-blue eyes, and her lips slightly parted and moist. The striking colours of her headscarf set against a black background, along with the expert use of light and shadow, create a work of sublime beauty.
The pearl earring is a prominent feature of the painting, and it is believed to be too large to be real. It may be a glass drop earring varnished to give it a matte sheen or simply a product of Vermeer's imagination. Pearls, both real and imitation, were fashionable during the period from about 1650 to 1680 and often featured in paintings by contemporary artists. The large pearl, along with the exotic dress and turban, adds to the mysterious and intriguing nature of the painting.
The subject of "Girl with a Pearl Earring" has inspired various interpretations in popular culture, including novels, films, and artworks. Tracy Chevalier's 1999 novel "Girl with a Pearl Earring" fictionalises the circumstances of the painting's creation, with the subject of the painting, Griet, working as a servant and assistant to Vermeer. The novel was adapted into a 2003 film of the same name, starring Scarlett Johansson as Griet and Colin Firth as Vermeer. In 2009, Ethiopian-American artist Awol Erizku recreated the painting as a print, centring on a young Black woman and replacing the pearl earring with bamboo earrings to highlight the lack of Black figures in museums and galleries. In 2014, street artist Banksy reproduced the painting as a mural in Bristol, replacing the pearl earring with an alarm box and titling the artwork "Girl with a Pierced Eardrum".
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The painting's influence on pop culture
Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is considered one of the most famous Dutch paintings of the 17th century. The painting has had a profound influence on pop culture, with its impact felt across various mediums, including literature, cinema, and street art.
The painting's allure has inspired literary works, including poems and novels. One of the earliest literary treatments of the painting was in Yann Lovelock's sestina, "Vermeer's Head of a Girl," which explores the interplay between imagined beauty on canvas and living experience. W. S. Di Piero offers a modern reimagining of the painting in Haight Street, San Francisco, while Marilyn Chandler McEntyre reflects on the girl's private and self-possessed personality.
In 1986, Italian author Marta Morazzoni published "La ragazza col turbante" ("Girl with a Turban"), a collection of five short novellas set in the Baroque era. The title story features a Dutch art dealer who sells Vermeer's painting to a Dane, both men captivated by the idealization of the feminine in art.
The painting also inspired Tracy Chevalier's 1999 bestselling novel, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," which fictionalizes the circumstances surrounding the painting's creation. Chevalier's novel has sold over five million copies worldwide, testament to the enduring fascination with Vermeer's work. The novel was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film in 2003, starring Scarlett Johansson as the fictional Griet and Colin Firth as Vermeer.
In 2014, the painting's influence extended to street art when the English artist Banksy reproduced the artwork as a mural in Bristol, UK. Titled "Girl with a Pierced Eardrum," Banksy incorporated an alarm box in place of the pearl earring, adding a unique twist to the classic painting.
The painting has also sparked discussions about representation in art. In 2009, Ethiopian-American artist Awol Erizku recreated Vermeer's painting with a young Black woman as the subject, replacing the pearl earring with bamboo earrings. Erizku's work, titled "Girl with a Bamboo Earring," highlights the absence of Black figures in museums and galleries.
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" has become a cultural icon, earning the nickname "Mona Lisa of the North." Its influence is evident in the wide range of merchandise featuring the painting, from art books to cushions, coasters, and clothing. The painting's enduring appeal lies in its beauty, familiarity, and the sense of mystery surrounding the identity of the girl, captivating audiences for centuries.
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The painting's artistic style
Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is a Dutch painting from the 17th century. It is not a portrait but a 'tronie'—a painting of an imaginary figure. Tronies depict a certain type or character; in this case, a young European girl in exotic dress, wearing an oriental turban and an improbably large pearl in her ear.
Vermeer was a master of light, and this is evident in "Girl with a Pearl Earring". The softness of the girl's face and the glimmers of light on her moist lips and shining pearl showcase his skill. The painting also features Vermeer's trademark use of reflected light, with small dots of paint enlivening the clothing. The face is modelled softly, with gradual transitions and invisible brushstrokes, while the clothing is depicted more schematically.
Vermeer also indicates differences in materials. For example, the white collar, painted in impasto, contrasts with the drier paint of the turban, for which he used the precious pigment ultramarine. The painting's subtle colour scheme and the intimacy of the girl's gaze towards the viewer were enhanced in a 1994 restoration.
The painting is oil on canvas and measures 44.5 cm (17.5 in) high and 39 cm (15 in) wide. It is signed "IVMeer" but not dated. It is estimated to have been painted around 1665. The work resides in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague and has been there since it was donated in 1902.
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The painting's title
The painting by Johannes Vermeer, commonly known as "Girl with a Pearl Earring", is considered one of his most famous works. The title of the painting refers to the large pearl earring worn by the girl in the painting. The work is oil on canvas and is estimated to have been painted around 1665.
The painting has had various titles throughout its history. Initially, it may have been one of the two "tronies" (a Dutch term for a character or type of person), "painted in the Turkish fashion" (Twee tronijnen geschildert op sijn Turx), as recorded in the inventory at the time of Vermeer's death. Later, it may have been the work appearing in the catalogue of a 1696 sale of paintings in Amsterdam, described as a "Portrait in Antique Costume, uncommonly artistic" (Een Tronie in Antique Klederen, ongemeen konstig).
After it was bequeathed to the Mauritshuis, the painting became known as "Girl with a Turban" (Meisje met tulband), reflecting the turban worn by the girl in the painting. This turban was not a traditional Dutch garment but an oriental accessory that had become fashionable during the period of European wars against the Turks.
By 1995, the title "Girl with a Pearl" (Meisje met de parel) was considered more appropriate, given the prominent presence of the pearl earring in the composition. This title has endured and is now commonly used to refer to the painting.
The painting has also been referred to simply as "Head of a Young Girl" or "The Pearl", with the latter name highlighting not only the detail of the earring but also the inner radiance of the figure against the dark background.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting was created by Johannes Vermeer, a Dutch artist.
It is estimated to have been painted around 1665-1666.
The painting is housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The subject of the painting is unknown. It is not a portrait but a 'tronie'—a painting of an imaginary figure. It may be a more generalised and mysterious woman, perhaps a Sibyl or biblical figure.
Yes, the painting has inspired several works, including a 1999 novel by Tracy Chevalier, a 2003 film of the same name, and a 2008 play. In 2009, Ethiopian American artist Awol Erizku recreated the painting with a young black woman, and in 2014, Banksy reproduced it as a mural in Bristol, titled "Girl with a Pierced Eardrum."
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