Sinopsis

Just 35 works make up the complete known oeuvre of Johannes Vermeer but in their enchanting combination of mimesis and mystery they have secured his place as one of the most admired artists in history. Featuring brand new photography of many paintings, this monograph presents the complete Vermeer catalogue in ravishing XXL format, including numerous details, three fold-out spreads, and an essay exploring the artist’s outstanding ability to transform oil paint into a living, breathing scene of life.

Master of the Dutch Golden Age

The infallible eye of Johannes Vermeer
His works have prompted a New York Times bestseller; a film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth; record visitor numbers at art institutions from Amsterdam to Washington, DC; and special crowd-control measures at the Mauritshuis, The Hague, where thousands flock to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic and enchanting Girl with a Pearl Earring, also known as the “Dutch Mona Lisa”.

In his lifetime, however, the fame of Johannes Vermeer (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 narrative minutiae, meticulous textural detail, and majestic planes of light, spotted a genius, and never looked back.

This XXL edition brings together the complete catalog of Vermeer’s work, presenting the calm yet compelling scenes so treasured in galleries across Europe and the United States into one monograph of utmost reproduction quality. With brand new photography 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 bear witness to the trends and trimmings of the Dutch Golden Age but also to encapsulate an entire story in just one transient gesture, expression, or look.