This lively portrait of the artist and his environment helps
readers become acquainted with the life and times of Jan
Vermeer. With only 37 known works, Vermeer s oeuvre
affords readers an opportunity to become intimately
acquainted with his paintings and with daily life in
seventeenth-century Holland. Here readers will learn about
the Golden Age of Dutch artistry, the culture and community
of Delft, and how Vermeer revolutionized the style and
content of portraits and still-lifes. Written in an engaging,
journalistic style and including full-color reproductions, this
volume will give readers a glimpse into Vermeer s private life
and the inspirations behind his paintings, giving insight into
a genius whose work continues to intrigue us today.