Largest Exhibition of Vermeer Paintings is Opening in Amsterdam

“Woman with a Pearl Necklace,” Johannes Vermeer, c. 1662-64, oil on canvas. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Gemäldegalerie

Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer only created 37 known works during his lifetime. Now, art history lovers have the opportunity to see 28 of these pieces in the largest exhibition of Vermeer paintings ever. Hosted at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Vermeer features an array of well-known pieces from the artist’s oeuvre that prove why he is the “Master of Light.”

Museums from around the world, including the U.S., France, and Japan, lent their Vermeer paintings for the exhibition that opened on February 10, 2023. “Johannes Vermeer is famous around the world for his paintings of calm scenes in domestic settings, for the unrivaled quality of his luminous, vibrant light, and for his impressive use of illusionism,” the museum states. “Never before have so many paintings by Vermeer been brought together in one place.”

Additionally, Vermeer’s most famous painting, Girl with a Pear Earring, normally held at the Maritshuis museum in The Hague, is on display at the Rijksmuseum for a limited time until the end of March, while the rest of the exhibition continues until June.

The Rijksmuseum is also offering a digital Vermeer experience for those who are unable to see these pieces in person. Titled Closer, this online gallery features the voices of Stephen Fry (in English) and Joy Delima (in Dutch), who give an overview of Vermeer’s life and art. Their narration accompanies ultra-high resolution photographs of Vermeer’s paintings which people can zoom in to close detail.

The Vermeer exhibition is on view at the Rijksmuseum until June 4, 2023. You can purchase tickets now.

The largest exhibition of Johannes Vermeer paintings is on view at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam until June 2023.

Rijksmuseum. Photo: Rijksmuseum

“Girl with a Pearl Earring,” 1664–67, oil on canvas. Mauritshuis, The Hague. Bequest of Arnoldus Andries des Tombe, The Hague

The exhibition, titled Vermeer, features the Dutch artist’s best-known works like A Girl with a Pearl Earring and Girl Reading a Letter among others.

“Woman Holding a Balance,” Johannes Vermeer, c. 1662-64, oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Widener Collection

“The Glass of Wine,” Johannes Vermeer, c. 1659-61, oil on canvas. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Gemäldegalerie

“Officer and Laughing Girl,” Johannes Vermeer, 1657-58, oil on canvas. The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr

“A Lady Writing,” Johannes Vermeer, 1664-67, oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington. Gift of Harry Waldron Havemeyer and Horace Havemeyer Jr., in memory of their father, Horace Havemeyer

“Girl Interrupted at Her Music,” Johannes Vermeer,. 1659–61, oil on canvas. The Frick Collection. New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr

“The Lacemaker,” Johannes Vermeer, 1666–68, oil on canvas mounted on panel. Musée du Louvre, Paris

“Mistress and Maid,” Johannes Vermeer, c. 1665-67, oil on canvas. The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr

“Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window,” Johannes Vermeer, 1657-58, oil on canvas. Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

“The Geographer,” Johannes Vermeer, 1669, oil on canvas. Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

“A Young Woman standing at a Virginal,” Johannes Vermeer, 1670–72, oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London

“View of Houses in Delft, known as ‘The Little Street’,” Johannes Vermeer, 1658-59, oil on canvas. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Gift of H.W.A. Deterding, London

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h/t: [KOTTKE]

All images courtesy of the Rijksmuseum.

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