Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

 One of Vermeer’s most famous works; certainly, his most haunting painting. Vermeer left this undated.  Some say this painting is of Vermeer’s own daughter.  Haunting because the girl appears somewhat surprised rather than posed. Her mouth is slightly open, also an atypical pose. The girl’s eyes seem to follow you.

 Recently a book and a movie have been done based on this mysterious artist, of which little is known.

  I find the painting kind of interesting; because, of the pearl. As I mentioned in another article on Baroque Pearls, the word Baroque was first used to describe a pearl with no central axis. The word baroque only later came to be used to describe a period or type or art and music. And Vermeer is right at the core of baroque art. So a baroque artist painting a portrait of this young girl with a pearl earring is interesting.