View of Delft

View of Delft is one of the most renowned paintings by the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer, painted around 1660-1661. It is a rare example of a cityscape in Vermeer’s body of work, as he is primarily known for his intimate interior scenes.

The painting depicts the city of Delft, where the artist lived, with a view of the harbor and city buildings. Vermeer achieved remarkable detail and depth of perspective, using a masterful interplay of light and shadow. The focus is not only on architecture but also on the daily life of the townspeople, which adds liveliness and emotional depth to the scene.

During an auction in 1696, View of Delft was considered the most valuable of 20 Vermeer works and was sold for 200 guilders.

The painting stands out among 17th-century landscapes for its photographic precision, which was unusual for the art of that time.

This masterpiece holds exceptional significance not only in the history of art but also in Dutch cultural heritage. The French writer Marcel Proust once called it “the most beautiful painting in the world.”

Today, View of Delft is housed in the Mauritshuis, the Royal Picture Gallery in The Hague, Netherlands.

P.S. Image attribution: Johannes Vermeer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons