Closer to Vermeer and the Girl : New discoveries and insights from the international scientific examination


Fascinating presentation of recent research from the Mauritshuis Museum on the “Girl with the Pearl Earring” by Vermeer.

I discovered this via an Alastair Sooke article in the Telegraph which gave an excellent overview of this project to use modern research techniques to assess this famous painting. However the museums own website provides a lot more insight. New discoveries include a green curtain in the apparently blank space behind the figure, a Vermeer signature and that there is no loop painted to attach the pearl to her ear. So much for the rather painful scene in the movie!

There is one long video summarising the findings then two short ones looking at changes in composition and the pigments used. The long video is a PowerPoint with voice over by the conservator, Abbie Vandivere, and includes lots of interesting info-graphics and details of the technical images. The shorter two have a more lock down feel with Vandivere filming herself on her mobile phone which makes them very endearing.  

The text is good and clear and there are links to 10 more detailed articles on the Heritage Science journal website which I can’t wait to read. It is all a bit nerdy, I admit, but if you love the picture it’s fascinating to find out more about it.


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