During his lifetime, he was famous for
Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) barely transcended the borders of his native city, Delft, and the small circle of his patrons. After his death, his name fell into oblivion for a long time, and outside Holland, his paintings were even mistakenly attributed to other artists. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that Vermeer attracted the attention of the international art world, which suddenly began to admire his work.
Narrative precision, the meticulous detail of its textures, and the majestic lighting effects . They had discovered a genius.
Today, Vermeer's work has inspired a bestseller
New York Times and a film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, not to mention record-breaking visitor numbers at museums from Amsterdam to Washington DC, and special security measures at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, where thousands of people come to contemplate the enigmatic and enchanting
Girl with a Pearl Earring , also known as the
Dutch Mona Lisa .
This edition brings together the
catalogue of the complete works of Vermeer in an exceptionally high-quality monograph that presents his serene and captivating scenes, treasured in galleries throughout Europe and the United States.
New photographs of many of his works , Vermeer's restricted but profoundly evocative repertoire of domestic scenes—someone writing a letter, playing an instrument, or even preparing something in the kitchen—unfolds in a large volume. Numerous details reveal the artist's exceptional ability not only to capture the customs and habits of the
Dutch Golden Age , but also for
to summarize a complete story in a single gesture, in an expression or a simple glance.
