Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of Johannes Vermeer’s most iconic pieces. With a portfolio as extensive and historically significant as his, what makes her so recognizable even after all this time?
Vermeer was a prolific Dutch painter whose works span many subjects, from landscapes to portraiture. But his most popular pieces were those depicting private moments of daily living. They display, in detail, elements of movement, intimacy, and life.
Girl with a Pearl Earring, with a cursory glance, is a portrait like any other. There is something more though that captivates the eye.
The light contrasts her soft features against a dark background, catching her just as she appears to be turning to say something, lips slightly parted.
This is a massive departure from other famous portraits of earlier antiquity like the Mona Lisa, or literally any other portrait of wealth or royalty which feature their subjects posed in scenery or elaborate dress.
What struck people most was her attire. Then, Dutch trade routes spanned as far as Japan, South America, and Africa. And here we see this woman with a headdress made of African fabrics.
The widespread prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age was helped along by their lack of a monarchy, allowing wealth and political power to be in the hands of higher class merchants. So her attire, with context, is appropriate. Why would it still be noteworthy?
You may not be nostalgic for the olden days of Holland. But one thing we can all recognize is the want to preserve the memory of times that were good. And that is what spans eras, precedes location and we can all appreciate.