Lena Rivera
Girl with a Pearl Earring, painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1665, is the subject of much intrigue. The painting, which depicts a young woman in exotic dress and a very large pearl earring, has been nicknamed the Mona Lisa of the North due to its enigmatic nature and the mysterious identity of its subject. The work, which is now housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, has inspired literary and cinematic adaptations, including a novel by Tracy Chevalier and a film of the same name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Johannes Vermeer |
| Year Painted | c. 1665-1666 |
| Genre | Oil Painting |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Current Location | Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague, Netherlands |
| Previous Owners | Pieter van Ruiven, Victor de Stuers, Arnoldus Andries des Tombe |
| Literary Adaptations | Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, Vermeer's Head of a Girl by Yann Lovelock, Girl with Pearl Earring by W. S. Di Piero |
| Cinematic Adaptations | Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) |
| Artistic Adaptations | Encuentro en la playa (after Vermeer) by Herman Braun-Vega, Print by Awol Erizku |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's history
"Girl with a Pearl Earring", painted by Johannes Vermeer, is one of his most famous works. It is an oil painting on canvas, dated c. 1665-1666. The painting has had a tumultuous history since it was first made and was lost for over 200 years.
The painting was likely made for one of Vermeer's patrons and then passed through several owners before it was sold at an auction in The Hague in 1881. It was bought by art collector Arnoldus Andries des Tombe for a negligible sum of two guilders and thirty cents. Des Tombe opened his collection, which included works by old masters, to visitors at his home in The Hague. In 1902, upon his death, Des Tombe bequeathed twelve paintings, including "Girl with a Pearl Earring", to the Mauritshuis museum, where it has resided ever since.
The painting has undergone several restorations, with the most recent one being in 1994. During this restoration, it was discovered that the dark background was originally a deep enamel-like green, created by applying a thin glaze over a black background. In 2014, Dutch astrophysicist Vincent Icke argued that the earring was made of polished tin and not a pearl, due to its specular reflection, pear shape, and large size. This theory was further supported by the discovery in 2022 that the 'pearl' was actually a glass, lacquered drop earring.
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" has inspired numerous literary and artistic works, including poems, novels, and paintings. Tracy Chevalier's 1999 novel of the same name fictionalized the circumstances of the painting's creation and sold over five million copies worldwide. The painting has also been the subject of a 2003 film and a 2008 play. In addition, it has travelled internationally to Japan, Italy, and the United States, drawing crowds in each location.
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The subject's identity
The subject of Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is unknown. It is speculated that she was a real model, or that Vermeer created a more generalized and mysterious woman, perhaps representing a Sibyl or biblical figure. The painting is not a portrait, but a "tronie", a Dutch term for a character or type of person. A young woman might have sat for Vermeer, but the painting is not meant to portray her or any specific individual.
Tracy Chevalier's 1999 historical novel "Girl with a Pearl Earring" fictionalized the circumstances of the painting's creation. In the novel, Vermeer becomes close to a servant whom he uses as an assistant and has sit for him as a model while wearing his wife's earrings. The novel was adapted into a 2003 film of the same name and a 2008 play.
In 1985, Peruvian painter Herman Braun-Vega appropriated Vermeer's painting in his work "Encuentro en la playa (after Vermeer)". In this allegory of cultural syncretism, the Dutch girl is accompanied by two young mixed-race girls on a beach and personifies the descendants of Europeans living in Latin America.
In 2009, Ethiopian-American Awol Erizku recreated Vermeer's painting as a print, centering on a young Black woman and replacing the pearl earring with bamboo earrings as a commentary on the lack of Black figures in museums and galleries.
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The artist's reputation
Johannes Vermeer, the painter of "Girl with a Pearl Earring", is considered one of the most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century. He is known for his intimate household scenes with remarkable use of light. Vermeer was also an art dealer and valuer. However, he only completed 36 paintings in his lifetime, while his contemporaries completed hundreds. This is because Vermeer spent a long time on each painting.
Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" has been described as his most famous painting and one of his most well-known works. It is considered a masterpiece and has been nicknamed the "'Mona Lisa of the North", rivalling Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" in terms of exposure. The painting has been the subject of various literary and cinematic treatments, including a 1999 historical novel by Tracy Chevalier, a 2003 film adaptation, and a 2008 play. The painting has also been referenced and appropriated by other artists, such as Banksy's "Girl with a Pierced Ear Drum".
The painting's fame has also led to its presence in popular culture, with merchandise such as cushions, coasters, T-shirts, bags, socks, suitcases, and more featuring the artwork. "Girl with a Pearl Earring" has travelled internationally, drawing crowds in Japan, Italy, and the United States. It is now on permanent display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, with the museum refusing to lend out the painting to ensure its presence for visitors.
Vermeer's reputation as a master of light and an artist with a unique ability to capture intimate scenes is evident in "Girl with a Pearl Earring". The softness of the girl's face, the glimmers of light on her lips, and the reflection on the pearl earring showcase his technical expertise and interest in representing light. The painting's enigmatic nature, coupled with the mystery of the subject's identity, has further added to its allure and Vermeer's artistic reputation.
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The painting's literary influence
The painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer has been the source of inspiration for many literary works. The painting itself is dated circa 1665 and is one of Vermeer's most well-known works. It depicts an imaginary young woman in exotic dress and a very large pearl earring. The painting's literary influence has been significant, with poets, novelists, and playwrights drawing inspiration from its enigmatic subject and mysterious origins.
Some of the first literary treatments of the painting were in poems. Yann Lovelock, in his sestina "Vermeer's Head of a Girl," explores the interplay between imagined beauty on canvas and living experience. W. S. Di Piero reimagines the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" in a modern setting, while Marilyn Chandler McEntyre comments on the girl's private and self-possessed personality.
The painting has also inspired works of fiction. Marta Morazzoni's collection of short novellas, "La ragazza col turbante" (Girl with a Turban, 1986), features a Dutch art dealer who sells Vermeer's painting to an eccentric Dane. Tracy Chevalier's 1999 historical novel, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," fictionalizes the circumstances of the painting's creation, with Vermeer becoming close to a servant who models for him. The novel was later adapted into a film and play of the same name.
The painting has also had a broader cultural impact, with artists from around the world recreating and re-imagining the work. In 2009, Ethiopian-American artist Awol Erizku recreated Vermeer's painting as a print, centering on a young black woman and replacing the pearl earring with bamboo earrings as a commentary on the lack of black figures in museums and galleries. In 2014, English street artist Banksy reproduced the painting as a mural in Bristol, incorporating an alarm box in place of the pearl earring and titling the artwork "Girl with a Pierced Eardrum."
The painting's influence extends beyond literature and art, with its recent restoration in 1994 enhancing its popularity and attracting crowds in Japan, Italy, and the United States. The painting's intimate portrayal of a young woman, her enigmatic gaze, and the luminous pearl earring continue to captivate audiences and inspire new interpretations and adaptations.
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The painting's restoration
The restoration of Girl with a Pearl Earring has been an extensive process, with the most recent restoration taking place in 1994. This treatment aimed to restore the painting to its former glory while honouring Vermeer's original intentions. The process involved removing old varnish and overpaint, revealing hidden details such as a highlight at the corner of the girl's mouth created with two dabs of pink paint. Small losses where paint and ground had come off were filled with putty, and the painting was given a final coat of varnish.
The 1994 restoration was part of the Vermeer Illuminated project, which involved a technical examination of the painting to understand its material composition and condition. This examination was coordinated by Conservation Scientist Karin M. Groen and included the use of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The analysis revealed that the dark background was originally a deep enamel-like green created by applying a thin glaze over a black background.
The restoration process also uncovered new insights about Vermeer's techniques and the painting's history. For example, it was discovered that Vermeer made changes to the composition during the painting process, shifting the position of the ear, the top of the headscarf, and the back of the neck. Additionally, the examination documented the current condition of the painting, allowing for the monitoring of any future changes.
The Girl with a Pearl Earring has undergone several treatments since it entered the Mauritshuis collection. The painting has been the subject of conservation and restoration efforts since the 1960s, with the 1994 treatment being one of the first times that a painting restoration took place in front of the museum public. The conservators worked in a temporary studio, allowing visitors to observe the process through a glass wall and from above through a skylight.
The restoration and research projects have provided valuable insights into Vermeer's techniques and the painting's history. By analysing paint samples and using modern imaging techniques, researchers have uncovered information about the pigments used, the build-up of paint layers, and the presence of a green curtain in the background. These projects have contributed to our understanding and appreciation of this beloved masterpiece.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' was painted between 1665 and 1666.
The painting is a work by the Dutch Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer.
The painting is on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands.
