Girl with a pearl earring by Tracy Chevalier

This book is told from the perspective of Griet, a 16 year old girl from Holland. The book is set into 4 chapters of years. The story is about the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). It tells of Griet’s life of working as a maid for the infamous painter Johannes Vermeer.

Griet is a mere existence and is paid very little for what she does when she starts. In early 1665, Griet secretly becomes Vermeer’s assistant. Griet starts to help Vermeer by fetching supplies, grinding colours and cleaning. She has an eye for Art and when she gains her confidence she often offers her thoughts to Vermeer.

In 1666 Vermeer starts to paint Griet and the erotic tension starts to enfold between the two of them. The Author of the book does a tremendous job at creating the sexual tension between them.

Towards the end of the painting and when it is nearly finished Vermeer believes it needs some jewellery. Griet pierces her own ear in readiness for the pearl earrings to be painted. When Catharina returns she believes Griet has stolen the earrings and is in rage. Griet realises there can be no future there and leaves.

The story then resumes years later in 1676.  Griet is asked to go to the Vermeer house. She is shocked to discover that Vermeer in his will, left her the pearl earrings. Which reluctantly she accepted. She sold them for 20 guilders. This is a truly romantic story, no action is ever taken upon the feelings between Vermeer and Griet but the fondness is felt. (Chevalier, 1999).

Quote

“I could not say why I had laid out the vegetable as I did. I simply set them as I felt they should be, but I was too frightened to say so to a gentleman.”

This conversation on page 5, is the first exchange between Griet and Vermeer where she is too shy to look or talk to him. It sets the tone for the whole book, and is the start of the chemistry between them. It attempts to show Vermeer’s clear and keen eye for detail, for him to have even noticed that Griet set the vegetables in the specific way that she did.

Bibliography

Chevalier, Tracey, 1999, The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Harper Collins, Complete Book