Table of Contents

Foreword by Taco Dibbits, general director, Rijksmuseum

Section I: Essays

1. Vermeer - Biography
An introduction to Vermeer's life and work

2. Vermeer - His House
Although little is known about Vermeer as a personality, an investigation into his direct environment reveals much more. Paying a visit to Oude Langendijk in Delft, this essay examines Vermeer's family members, household life and personal possessions.

3. Vermeer's Invented World
Vermeer's paintings are almost exclusively interiors, imbued with a momentary stillness in time which nevertheless has been carefully constructed and orchestrated to direct the observer's gaze. This creation of intimacy is the key theme of the exhibition.

Section II: The Paintings
Includes every painting by Vermeer, grouped in 13 thematic sections, each written by a curatorial authority. Each theme includes 2–4 works:

Delft – Coming Home
Paintings: View of the Delft, The Little Street

Inside – Still-life Figures, Safe World
Paintings: A Maid Asleep, Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, The Milkmaid

Very Close – Introvert
Paintings: Woman in Blue Reading a Letter, The Lacemaker

Secluded
Paintings: The Music Lesson, The Concert, The Love Letter

Windows – The Outside World Inside
Paintings: Officer and Laughing Girl, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, Woman with a Lute, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher

Letters – The World Outside Inside
Paintings: Mistress and Maid, A Lady Writing

Fashionable Intruders
Paintings: The Glass of Wine, The Girl with a Wine Glass, Girl Interrupted in her Music

Attraction/Across the Border
Paintings: Girl with a Red Hat, Girl with Flute, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Study of a Young Woman

Playing Music for.../Waiting for the (music-)partner
Paintings: A Lady Standing at a Virginal, A Lady Seated at a Virginal, The Guitar Player, A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals

The Whole World Inside
Paintings: The Geographer, The Astronomer

World of thoughts/Inner Reflections of Vanity and Faith
Paintings: Woman with a Pearl Necklace, Woman Holding a Balance, Allegory of Catholic Faith

Early Ambitions/Try Outs
Paintings: Saint Praxedis, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, Diana and her Companions, The Procuress

Late Ambition/Legate, Testimony
Paintings: The Art of Painting

Promotional Information

Published to accompany the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, this is the first major study on Vermeer's life and work for many years

About the Author

Both authors work at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Pieter Roelofs is Head of Paintings and Sculpture, and Gregor J. M. Weber is Head of the Department of Fine Arts.

Reviews

'Proust was once so excited to see a Vermeer show that he collapsed … I got chest pains merely leafing through the catalogue' - Jonathan Jones, Guardian

'Invest in the fat catalogue, stuffed with scholarly discoveries and photographic closeups, and you will learn about everything from Vermeer’s optical mastery to his moral symbolism' - Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times

'Excellent' - Artists & Illustrators

'A gorgeous thing. Nothing matches seeing a painting in the flesh, but this comes mightily close' - Herald Scotland

'Immerses the reader in the immensely rich pictorial world of the master painter from Delft .. extraordinary close-up detail' - Art Mag

'A book to treasure' - The Prisma

'Comprehensive... Vermeer scholars...give insight into his life and influences while analyzing the paintings and their compositions in great detail... A feast for the yes as well as the mind... Worthy of any art history collection' - Library Journal