Vermeer was painting his maid, Griet.
Griet the maid
The young girl helped the Dutch painter in his work. She kept his studio in perfect order. Vermeer was very protective of his paintings. He asked her to pose for him and she accepted. She wore a pearl earring for the occasion.Pearl earring
A maid would not wear a pearl earring. This painting was thought to be of Vermeer�s daughter, Maria. But she was only 11 when he completed this work in 1665. Vermeer borrowed the earrings from his wife. This situation was very unusual.Tracy Chevalier
There is a mystery surrounding the identity of the girl. This painting is like a puzzle. We still know little about Vermeer. To learn more, you can read the novel by Tracy Chevalier, �Girl With a Pearl Earring�. He tells the story of Vermeer and Griet.History
Vermeer painted real situations and real people: Holland in the 17th-century. This painting is different. There are two distinctive signs removed from reality:- A blue and gold turban
- A pearl earring
The turban evokes an exotic culture. It also suggests a children dress party, a "mardi-gras". The pearl earring adds on to the mystery.