Vermeer and His World: 1632-1675

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) is recognized as one of the foremost painters of the Dutch Golden Age. This period witnessed an explosion of artistic activity in which an unprecedented number of painters depicted an increasingly diverse range of subjects. Vermeer's subjects are absolutely typical of the Golden Age, yet his vision is supremely distinctive. Vermeer and his World begins with a comprehensive introduction to Vermeer and his paintings: from his early life and influences, key themes and inspirations to his artistic vision and technique. A virtual gallery presents an illustrated timeline of Vermeer's entire oeuvre in chronological order. Individual chapters showcase all 36 works attributed to Vermeer in giant size accompanied by an informative commentary on the historical context, explanations of key themes and box features on how particular paintings have influenced and inspired other works. The book also contains an envelope with ten pull-out prints of Vermeer's best-known work reproduced at actual size. Diana and her Companions; A Lady Writing; Christ in the House of Martha and Mary; Girl with a Pearl Earring; Officer and Laughing Girl; Girl with a Red Hat; The Procuress; The Art of Painting; A Maid Asleep; Study of a Young Woman; Young Woman Reading a Letter by an Open Window; Girl with a Flute; The Little Street; Mistress and Maid; The Milkmaid; The Astronomer; Girl Interrupted in her Music; The Geographer; The Glass of Wine; The Love Letter; The Girl with a Glass of Wine; The Lacemaker; Woman in Blue Reading a Letter; The Guitar Player; The Music Lesson; A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals; Young Woman with a Water Pitcher; Allegory of Faith; Woman with a Lute; Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid; Woman with a Pearl Necklace; A Lady Standing at a Virginal; Woman Holding a Balance; A Lady Seated at a Virginal; The Concert.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. Finding His Feet: Diana and Her Companions (c.1653-4); Christ in the House of Martha and Mary (c.1654-6); The Procuress (1656); Officer and Laughing Girl (c.1657). The Art of Everyday: A Maid Asleep (c.1656-7); Young Woman Reading a Letter at an Open Window (c.1657-9); The Little Street (c.1658); The Milkmaid (c.1658); Girl Interrupted at her Music (c,1658-9); View of Delft (c.1660-1). Moments Frozen in Time: The Glass of Wine (c.1661-2); The Girl with a Glass of Wine (c.1662); Young Woman with a Water Pitcher (c.1662); Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (c.1662-3); Woman with a Lute (c.1662-3); The Music Lesson (c.1662-5); Woman with a Pearl Necklace (c.1662-5); Woman Holding a Balance (c.1664); The Concert (c.1664-7). The Art of Painting: A Lady Writing (c.1665); Girl with a Pearl Earring (c.1665); Girl with a Red Hat (c.1665-6); Girl with a Flute (attributed) (c.1665-70); The Art of Painting (c.1665-6); Study of a Young Woman (c.1665-7). Absorption and Observation: Mistress and Maid (c.1666-7); The Astronomer (c.1668); The Geographer (c.1669); The Love Letter (c.1669-70); The Lacemaker (c.1669-70); The Guitar Player (c.1669-72); A Young Woman Seated at the Virginals (c.1670); Allegory of Faith (c.1670-2); Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid (c.1670-1); A Lady Standing at a Virginal (c.1670-2); A Lady Seated at a Virginal (c.1670-2). Index. Bibliography.

About the Author :
Serena Cant is an art historian and lecturer. She regularly talks at the Wallace Collection and National Gallery in London on Dutch Art of the Golden Age and works at English Heritage as a maritime archaeology researcher, specialising in the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 1600s. She has contributed to the best-selling popular art reference books 1001 Paintings to See Before You Die and 501 Artists.

Review :
'Art lovers are in for a treat' Country and Town House magazine. 'Brilliantly large and lavish volume... an ideal present and a bargain at just GBP25' Independent on Sunday.