Girl with a Pearl Earring, one of the most iconic artworks in history, is an oil painting by Johannes Vermeer.
In 2006, the Dutch public selected it as the most beautiful painting in the Netherlands. The painting is particularly known for the girl’s mysterious and enigmatic stare. Vermeer was the master of light — a skill he used to bring out the softness of the girl’s face, the glimmers of light on her moist lips, and of course, the shining white pearl — so much so that the name of the painting was changed from its original name (Girl with a Turban) in the the second half of the twentieth century. The painting is not a portrait, but a ‘tronie’ — bust-length portrayals depicting facial expression of anonymous models.
Very little is known about the story behind this painting, as no one chronicled Vermeer’s efforts, as he had limited influence and popularity outside his hometown of Delft at that time. The biggest mystery is the identity of the girl. Some theories suggest she is his daughter while others say she was his mistress or possibly just a figment of his imagination. However, many believe that this painting has become so popular to the point that it is considered a masterpiece of art history precisely due to this unresolved mystery.
