Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was a Dutch painter known for his masterful use of light and attention to detail. Born in Delft, Vermeer was the son of a silk weaver and art dealer. He began his career as an artist in the mid-1650s, creating mainly genre scenes and portraits of wealthy patrons. Vermeer's paintings were characterized by their luminous quality and meticulous attention to detail, as well as their focus on everyday domestic life. He is best known for works such as "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "The Milkmaid." Despite his talent, Vermeer was not widely recognized during his lifetime, and he struggled financially. After his death, his works were largely forgotten until the 19th century, when they were rediscovered and celebrated as masterpieces of Dutch art. Today, Vermeer is considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.