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Monday
Nov232015

Is It a True Tale?

DateMonday, November 23, 2015 at 9:00AM

Johannes Vermeer - Girl with a Pearl Earring - c. 1665 - Oil on canvas, 46,5 x 40 cm — (approx. 18 x 15.7 in) - Mauritshuis, The HagueJohannes Vermeer (1632-1675) “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” provided Vermeer his most lasting legacy. Often referred to as the “Dutch Mona Lisa”—the sitter for this “tronie” still remains something of a mystery. But the most frequently mentioned candidate for the model is Vermeer’s eldest daughter, Maria, who was probably born in 1654. That would have  made her about twelve years old by 1665-1667, the dating scholars have assigned to the painting. A second candidate is Magdalena, the only daughter of Vermeer's patron, Pieter Van Ruijven, in part because he owned the painting for a time. Much as we all love a good tale—there is absolutely NO historical evidence to support the fiction that a maid named “Griet" posed for the painting. The film and book also mischaracterize Vermeer’s wife—who indeed modeled for him frequently and avidly supported his artistic efforts.

AuthorJill | CommentPost a Comment |

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