An exhibit of Dutch painters was
recently at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Included in the exhibit was the painting
by Johannes Vermeer, “Girl with a Pearl
Earring” and, as the name implies, the artist uses a pearl earring as a focal point.
This is one of the best-loved paintings in the world . . . and it is a mystery. Who is
the model and why has she been painted? What is she thinking as she stares out
at the viewer? Are her wide eyes and enigmatic half-smile innocent or seductive? And
why is she wearing a pearl earring?
The book in this
piece is a contemporary novel by Tracy Chevalier by the same name
Besides the book, this piece also includes a mannequin head, clock gears and a mainspring, gold acrylic paint atop vintage book text, vintage sewing patterns, and of course a pearl earring.
