Vermeer paintings

Jan Vermeer van Delft ( fragment ).

From the Middle Ages to today, a new book offers a glimpse into the inner sanctums of artists through the centuries. Clare Dowdy takes a look.

From the man who brought you Girl with a Pearl Earring, there's plenty more to see. Read on to discover ten must-see works by Vermeer.

The subject of writing and receiving letters, which recurs frequently in Vermeer’s work, is given an exceptional sense of dramatic tension in this painting of two women arrested in some moment of mysterious crisis. The lack of final modelling in the mistress’ head and figure and the relatively plain background indicate that this late work by Vermeer was left unfinished. Nevertheless, the artist seldom if ever surpassed the subtly varied effects of light seen here as it gleams from the pearl…

Gerrit Dou, A Woman Playing a Clavichord, c. 1665, Dulwich Picture Gallery, South London

Jan Vermeer (Johannes Vermeer), Delft 1632 - 1675 Briefschreiberin und Dienstmagd / Lady Writing a Letter, with her Maid, Detail (um 1670) The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin Considered one of the principal Dutch painters, Johannes Vermeer specialised in genre scenes, particular those depicting women in domestic settings. Vermeer’s work displays an unprecedented level of artistic mastery in its illusion of reality. His figures are often quiet and inactive, which contributes to the solemn…

The Important stuff you won't find in a book or teachers rarely share in art school.

I have only made one 17th century gown and I loved it. It was polyester satin and featured spray-painted lace, but I adored that gown. Somebody else is adoring it now, and it's time to make a new one. I recently acquired an enormous amount of

When I was a child, maybe six or seven, I received a tin can full of wrapped candy in cellophane. Instead of being excited about the contents of the box, I was more impressed with the art work on t…