Masterpiece

Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was not a very prolific painter - fewer than 40 of his paintings are known, and it is unlikely he painted many more than those. Most of his works are of domestic interior scenes, possibly of his own house.

The lacemaker

A close-up portrait of a woman, concentrating on the work she is doing. On the left of the painting we see a sewing cushion, used to store sewing materials. Next to it a book, probably the bible. A glimpse of domestic bourgeois life in 17th century Delft.

The lacemaker is on display in the Louvre in Paris (as La Dentellière).