Vermeer

by Gilles Aillaud, Gilles Aillaud

Profiles the life and works of the distinguished seventeenth-century artist, analyzing him within the context of other artists of the period and examining his social origins and domestic environment and how they shaped his work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Imen Inoubli Gharbi /reading bookswith imen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Blankert’s Vermeer is a masterful and deeply enriching exploration of one of art history’s most enigmatic painters. With scholarly precision and a refined aesthetic sensibility, Blankert offers not only a meticulous analysis of Vermeer’s known works, but also a vivid portrait of the world in which they were created. The book is visually stunning, with high-quality reproductions that do justice to the delicate light, texture, and atmosphere that define Vermeer’s genius.

What makes this work exceptional is its balance of art historical depth and readability. Blankert brings clarity to complex debates—about attributions, influences, and Vermeer’s methods—without ever losing sight of the quiet poetry in the paintings themselves. His writing is elegant and thoughtful, allowing readers to both learn and linger, to study and simply admire.

This is not just a study of a painter, but a quiet conversation with his work—a book that deepens appreciation with every page. For anyone who has stood before The Milkmaid or Girl with a Pearl Earring and felt that time had stopped, Blankert’s Vermeer is a rare and beautiful gift.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The details of his life were well-laid out and written in an accessible style, as was the information about the paintings themselves. There were plenty of large color plates.