Culture

Only 36 paintings are attributed to Johannes Vermeer, but they are among the most revered in the history of art. Join Oxford University lecturer Alice Foster as we take a closer look at these celebrated works of art.

Vermeer began his career painting large scale biblical and mythological subjects but switched to small scale genre scenes depicting daily life above and below stairs.

The works are remarkable for their purity of light, clarity of execution and a serene, timeless dignity.  But there is often an edge, something unresolved in Vermeer’s work, that leaves us with a sense of mystery.