"In his lifetime, the fame of Johannes Vermeer (1632 1675) barely extended beyond his native Delft and a small circle of patrons. After his death, his name was largely forgotten, with works outside of Holland often misattributed to other artists. It was not until the mid-19th century that Vermeer came to the attention of the international art world, which suddenly looked upon his narrative minutiae, meticulous textural detail, and majestic planes...

"Seventeenth-century Delft has often been viewed as a quaint town whose artists painted scenes of domestic life. This book revises that image, showing that the small but vibrant Dutch city produced a wide range of artworks, including luxurious tapestries and silver objects, as well as sophisticated paintings for the court at The Hague and for patrician collectors in Delft itself."--Jacket.

"Johannes Vermeer's intensely quiet and enigmatic paintings invite the viewer into a private world, often prompting more questions than answers. Who is being portrayed? Are his subjects real or imagined? And how did he create such an unrivaled sense of intimacy? Bringing together diverse strands of the Dutch master's professional and private worlds, this is the first major authoritative study of Vermeer's life and work for many years shedding light...