Vermeer. The Complete Works

Vermeer. The Complete Works

<strong>Infallible eye: From domestic details to mysterious glances, Johannes Vermeer transformed oil paint into life</strong><br /><br />His works have prompted a <em>New York Times</em> bestseller; a film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth; <strong>record visitor numbers</strong> at art institutions from Amsterdam to Washington, DC; and <strong>special crowd-control measures</strong> at the Mauritshuis, The Hague, where thousands flock to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic and enchanting <em>Girl with a Pearl Earring</em>, also known as the “Dutch <em>Mona Lisa</em>”.<br /><br />In his lifetime, however, the fame of <strong>Johannes Vermeer</strong> (1632–1675) barely extended beyond his native Delft and a small circle of patrons. After his death, his name was largely forgotten, except by a few Dutch art collectors and dealers. Outside of Holland, his works were even misattributed to other artists. It was not until the mid-19th century that Vermeer came to the attention of the international art world, which suddenly looked upon his <strong>narrative minutiae, meticulous textural detail, and majestic planes of light</strong>, spotted a genius, and never looked back.<br /><br />This XL edition brings together the <strong>complete catalog of Vermeer’s work</strong>, presenting the calm yet compelling scenes so treasured in galleries across Europe and the United States into one monograph of utmost reproduction quality. With <strong>brand new photography</strong> of many works, Vermeer’s restrained but richly evocative repertoire of domestic actions — ranging from letter writing to music making to preparations in the kitchen — unfolds in a generous format, including three fold-out spreads. Numerous details emphasize the artist’s remarkable ability not only to <strong>bear witness to the trends and trimmings of the Dutch Golden Age</strong> but also to <strong>encapsulate an entire story in just one transient gesture, expression, or look</strong>.