Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter born in 1632 in the Netherlands He is one of the most well-known painters of the Dutch Golden Age and was part of the Dutch school of realist art. Vermeer’s works are known for their attention to detail and realistic portrayal of light, atmosphere and color. He is often seen as one of the most important contributors to the development of realism during the 17th century. Although Vermeer’s career was relatively short, he has left behind an impressive body of work.
The five best examples of Vermeer’s work include Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, The Music Lesson, View of Delft and The Allegory of Faith.
Girl with a Pearl Earring is a masterpiece of portraiture painted between 1665-1667. The painting depicts a young girl in a blue turban, looking away from the viewer with one hand behind her ear and a pearl earring in the other. The painting is noteworthy for its use of light and shadow as well as its expressive and accurate details. The painting has inspired a movie, a novel and numerous artworks over the years.
The Milkmaid is an oil painting by Vermeer, completed between 1658-1661. The painting features a young woman in a plain dress, pouring milk from a jug into a plate. The painting showcases the artist’s ability to capture the everyday life of people in scenes of domestic tranquility.
The Music Lesson is a painting by Vermeer, completed between 1662-1665. The painting conveys a moment of relaxed and peaceful instruction between a man and a woman, where the woman is playing the harpsichord and the man is tuning it.
View of Delft is an oil painting by Vermeer, completed between 1660-1661. The painting displays an aerial view of the Dutch city of Delft, with its canals and buildings in the background. The painting demonstrates Vermeer’s skills in composition, perspective and light.
The Allegory of Faith is an oil painting by Vermeer, completed between 1670-1671. The painting portrays a woman in prayer, with a lamp in her hands and a cross above her. The painting is considered a rare example of Vermeer’s religious paintings.
Overall, Vermeer’s art has made him a legend in the history of art. His works are renowned for their delicate and accurate portrayal of everyday life as well as their mastery of light, color and atmosphere. The five best examples of Johannes Vermeer’s work are Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, The Music Lesson, View of Delft and The Allegory of Faith.