As Vermeer’s big bumper exhibtion takes place in Amsterdam, the famous painter’s birthplace likes to contriute as well by telling the story of his life and work.
The buildings that house the current Museum Prinsenhof used to be a monestary, but had been turned into a royal palace in 1572, only to be abandoned after the brutal murder of Prince William the Silent in 1584. The Prinsenhof continued to be used by the Delft city council in the 17th century. It is part of the historic centre, which is pretty much unchanged from the days of Vermeer. He was born in the city in 1632, was brought up there, married a local woman and died unexpectedly at home in 1675. The museum is the perfect setting to tell the story of his life.
This exhibition has brought together many artefacts, council records and paintings that have a link with Vermeer and his life. We can see when his marriage was proposed and who signed as a witness. His father ran an inn as well as working as an art dealer, and through this the young Vermeer met many painters, including family friend Leonaert Bramer, 36 years his senior and probably his most important early influence.
Delft was a thriving artistic city and in 1652 Pieter de Hooch moved from Rotterdam, becoming another key influence on Vermeer. An example of De Hooch’s work is on display here, as well as some of the paintings that would be turned up as backgrounds in Vermeer’s work. There are some fine examples of chairs and tablecloths as well, easily recognisable if you have seen a Vermeer painting before.
His continuation of his life is told in small steps, including his untinely death and the aftermath, when his widow was forced to settle his debts by giving his paintings away — the local baker got two.
Despite the exhibition not including a single Vermeer painting, it is a gripping and entertaining affair, and well worth a detour from Amsterdam.
Het Delft van Vermeer is on show at Museum Prinsenhof, Sint Agathaplein, Delft until 4 June 2023.
