Johannes Vermeer
Awards & Honours
0
Awards Won
1
Honours
1
Rankings
2
Covers
2
Records
Vermeer's achievement is extraordinary given his small output. Only 35 to 37 paintings survive, yet he is ranked among the greatest painters in Western art. His use of light and color, his quiet compositions, and his psychological depth set him apart. Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid are among the most recognizable images in art history. The 2023 Rijksmuseum exhibition, the largest ever, gathered 28 of his works and drew record crowds, proving his enduring power to move people.
Honours & Distinctions
Induction into the Canon of Western Art
Universally recognized as a master of the Dutch Golden Age.
Rankings & Lists
Greatest Painters of All Time
Magazine Covers
Time
1936-04-06
Vermeer: The Mystery of the Dutch Master
The New York Times Magazine
2023-02-05
Vermeer's World
Records & Feats
Smallest surviving oeuvre of any universally acknowledged Old Master
With only 35–37 authenticated paintings, Vermeer produced fewer works than any other top-tier artist.
Most expensive stolen painting
The Concert, stolen in 1990, is valued at over $250 million, making it the most valuable stolen painting.