About The Artist - Jan Vermeer (baptized October 31, 1632, died December 15, 1675)

Johannes Vermeer or Jan Vermeer was a prodigal Dutch painter. Today, he is acknowledged as one of the most prolific painters of the Dutch Golden Age, especially for his dexterity in use of natural light in his paintings.

About The Painting - View of Delft

The View of Delft was made from 1659 to 1660 and the property of Mauritshuis of The Hague.

The View of Delft is without any doubt one of the most captivating, appealing, and compelling works of art ever created. With its overwhelming presence, the painting conveys the perception that the viewer is actually looking a real cityscape and more real than the real world outside. Vermeer's work is very accessible and anyone can relate to it with ease. As this cityscape captures your imagination, it transports you the Delft of the mid 1600s with dark clouds clutching on to an overcast sky. And when you finally come out of your aesthetic reverie, you just want to know how this artist could bring such a powerful effect to this setting.

Unquestionably, the lighting effects are the most brilliant element of this painting. Gray clouds perching precariously above the city can be seen casting an ominous shadow on the foreground. Your eyes are drawn to the vastness of the overcast sky, but you won't be able to draw yourself away from the heart of the Delft that seems bathed in warm golden sunshine.

Vermeer has also used many textual effects to add depth to the subject. He mixed sand with paint and used it to shape the stone facades, roofs and bridge. A thick impasto of yellow was applied to the tallest tower to highlight the sunlit areas.

Vermeer has also used many textual effects to add depth to the subject. He mixed sand with paint and used it to shape the stone facades, roofs and bridge. A thick impasto of yellow was applied to the tallest tower to highlight the sunlit areas.

Interestingly, Vermeer created this masterpiece from the first floor of a house south of the river Schie. He painting from there with the camera obscura pointed in the direction of the city. Vermeer adjusted the cityscape freely in order to create the best composition. He flattened the cityscape, and accentuated the horizontal planes of the buildings, and other solid structures to add weight and gravity to the composition.