Have you ever looked at a picture and made up a story to go with it? I sometimes do this with friends when we walk through museums. We will see a portrait, or a painting of people gathered together, and there may be a descriptive title and information about the picture which can be interesting. But sometimes we choose to create a background for these painted people ourselves, or consider what stirred the artist to capture a particular moment. I find such fabrication delightful!Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring is inspired by the famous painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. Little is known about Vermeer or who the actual girl in the painting was. In the novel, Chevalier has created young Griet, sent to work for the painter and his growing family as a maid and laundress. However, as she cleans Vermeer's studio and watches as his paintings evolve, Griet begins to understand the use of colors, and has an eye for balance in the images. In time, Vermeer teaches her to grind paint colors and has her stand in as a model. Finally, he responds to the demand of his most reliable (and lecherous!) patron who wants to possess a painting of Griet. In a scandalous move, Vermeer insists Griet pierce her ears to wear his wife's pearl earrings for the portrait. And Griet knows that though she may lose her position, she must wear them to make the portrait complete.
EssentialVermeer.com has a wonderful online catalog of his work, including Girl With a Pearl Earring.
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