A conversation between Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris in front of The Art of Painting, Johannes Vermeer, 1666-69, oil on canvas, 130 x 110 cm (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna). Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.
The painting depicts an artist painting a woman dressed in blue posing as a model in his studio. The subject is standing by a window on the wall behind hangs a large map of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands, flanked by 20 views of prominent Dutch cities. It is signed to the right of the girl “I [Oannes] Ver. Meer”.
The representation of the marble tiled floor and the splendid golden chandelier are examples of Vermeer’s craftsmanship and show his knowledge of perspective. Each object reflects or absorbs light differently.
Vermeer obviously liked the painting; he never sold it during his lifetime.