1000 Museums

Vermeer is the largest exhibition organized on the painter’s work, never before have so many Vermeers been brought together. Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) lived and worked in Delft. His work is best known for his tranquil, introverted indoor scenes, his unprecedented use of bright, colorful light and his convincing illusionism. In contrast to Rembrandt, Vermeer left a remarkably small oeuvre with about 35 paintings. As his paintings are generally considered the most prized treasures of every museum collection, Vermeer paintings are rarely lent out.

The Rijksmuseum exhibition includes masterpieces such as The Girl with a Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis, The Hague), The Geographer (Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main), Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid (The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin) and Woman Holding a Balance (The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC).

Works never before shown to the public in the Netherlands include the newly restored Girl Reading a Letter at the Open Window from the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden.

Closer to Johannes Vermeer is an online tour created by the Museum to accompany the exhibit, it features all of 37 of the known Vermeer works.  Stephen Fry or Joy Delima narrate and guide you through the most beautiful details and the most intriguing stories.