Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) by Johannes Vermeer

Her striking appearance, with a pearl earring and blue headscarf, has made her one of the most recognisable figures in art. Vermeer’s mastery of light and shadow, also known as chiaroscuro, gives the painting a sense of depth and realism, contributing to its enduring allure.

The Girl with a Pearl Earring is often referred to as a tronie. This is a Dutch term for a character or type of person rather than a specific individual. Tronies were popular in 17th-century Dutch art and typically featured an anonymous sitter, often wearing exotic clothing or with exaggerated facial expressions. In this case, the subject’s enigmatic expression and striking attire contribute to the painting’s status as a tronie.

The background of the painting features a dark, almost black colour. This was achieved using a mixture of charcoal black and red ochre. The choice of pigments serves to heighten the contrast between the subject and her surroundings, drawing attention to her face and the eponymous pearl earring.