Johannes Vermeer

(1632-1675)

Johannes Vermeer lived out his life in Delft, Holland. His father, Reynier, was a silk weaver who was also a registered Master Art Dealer at the St. Luke’s Guild in Delft. In 1631, his father was successful enough to buy a large house called “the Mechelen” on the market square in Delft where he probably sold artworks. When Reynier died in 1653, Johannes inherited his father’s business and the house. By then, Johannes had already decided to become a painter. Johannes became a master in the St. Luke’s Guild at that time.

No one knows for sure who Johannes studied under, maybe Leonaert Bramer or Carel Fabritius. It is assumed that other local artists, such as Gerard ter Borch II and Pieter de Hooch, may have influenced his style and he may have travel to Amsterdam or Utrecht to further his studies.

He started out painting historical subjects - large-scale religious and mythological paintings. Soon, however, he began painting the landscapes and allegories for which he became famous. His landscapes continued to reflect the quiet, intimate mood of his earlier historical works. Many of his 35 works were in the collection of a patron in Delft, which helps to explain why he was not well-known outside of Delft.

Raised and baptized a Protestant, Johannes converted to Catholicism shortly before his marriage in 1653 to make his future mother-in-law happy. He and his wife, Catharina Bolnes, eventually moved from “the Mechelen” to her mother’s house in the “Papists Corner” area of Delft, near one of the two hidden churches where Catholics could worship.

Art sales fell off during the 1670’s during the difficult economic times experienced in Holland. Vermeer died in 1675 at the age of 43, leaving his wife and 11 children (8 of which still at home) heavily in debt; his wife filed for bankruptcy the following year.

Dutch Baroque- Holland was an independent, democratic, Protestant country. Religious art was forbidden in the stark churches and original sources of patronage like the church, royal court, and nobility were gone. The subject matter in art, therefore, was democratized. Art became enterprise because Holland had a mania for art collecting. There was a constant demand for paintings. Even restaurant owners bought paintings to decorate their businesses. The public enthusiasm for art made the art industry boom with high-quality art and large numbers of artists. There was an especial wide emphasis on stilll lifes, interiors, and animals.