Girl with a Pearl Earring **
Who is the girl looking back at us from Vermeer's masterpiece, referred to by some as "the Dutch Mona Lisa?" Tracy Chevalier, who penned the novel by the same name, suggests it is Griet, a cripple's daughter sent to work as a servant in the Vermeer household. This film is a fictional account, based on elements that are known about Vermeer's life and his patron Van Ruijven. In Peter Webber's portrait of Delft, Holland in 1665 we see Vermeer supported by his mother-in-law, his patrons entertained by his wife, and this maid servant paid to be the model, this commission deemed "obscene". Webber's photography is as lavish as a Flemmish master while capturing the Dutch austerity. I wish the script gave us more, perhaps Chevalier's novel did, but the film did inspire me to read more about Vermeer and 17th century Holland. Speculation continues about the model, with best guesses going to Vermeer's eldest daughter or the daughter of his famous patron. One thing that hasn't changed in 400years, behind every successful man is a woman (or two or three).
In depth study of this painting
life in 17th century Amsterdam
Movie information and interesting details about the making of the film
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