Johannes Vermeer was a painter active during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Although only around 30 of his works remain, his meticulous realism and outstanding technique in the depiction of light continue to fascinate people around the world. In particular, his tranquil works depicting indoor scenes capture the beauty of people's everyday lives, and he has been called the " Magician of Light ."

Johannes Vermeer Biography

• Born October 31, 1632 (baptism date) in Delft, Netherlands
• In 1653, he was registered as a master painter at the Guild of St. Luke.
• In the 1660s, he produced a series of masterpieces, including landscapes and interior paintings of the city of Delft.
• Died in Delft on December 15, 1675 (aged 43)

Representative works

• Girl with a Pearl Earring (c. 1665)
• The Milkmaid (c. 1658-1660)
• View of Delft (c. 1660-1661)
• The Art of Painting (c. 1666-1668)

Johannes Vermeer's painting style

Vermeer's style of painting is characterized by meticulous realism, believed to have been achieved through the use of camera obscura , and outstanding depiction of light. In particular, his depiction of the soft light streaming in through the window gives his paintings a unique sense of tranquility. Vermeer's works are also fascinating for their vivid colors and detailed depictions using pointillism. He is also known for his extensive use of the expensive ultramarine blue, which is made from lapis lazuli . Many of his works are genre paintings that depict the daily lives of Dutch citizens at the time, but he also left behind works with mythological and religious themes.

Commentary on representative works

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" is Vermeer's most famous work and is also known as the "Mona Lisa of the North." The gaze of the turned-back girl and the sparkle of her pearl earring are striking. "The Milkmaid" depicts a maid quietly pouring milk. The light coming in from the window softly illuminates the woman, the wall, the bread, and other objects, creating a poetic depiction of a scene from everyday life.

Johannes Vermeer's influence and later recognition

Vermeer was forgotten for a long time after his death, but he was reevaluated in the 19th century and his fame grew rapidly. Impressionist painters in particular showed a strong interest in Vermeer's expression of light and everyday subjects. Today, Vermeer is highly regarded around the world as one of the most representative painters of the Dutch Golden Age . Keywords such as " Magician of Light ," " Camera Obscura ," " Lapis Lazuli ," " Genre Painting ," and " Delft " are important elements in understanding Vermeer's art. His works are housed in museums around the world and continue to fascinate many people even today.