In 2023, the Rijksmuseum Will Present the Largest Vermeer Exhibition Ever.

Johannes Vermeer, known for his subtly captivating portraits of young women—most notably one of a girl with a pearl earring—has secured his place among the most esteemed Dutch painters, alongside Rembrandt and Frans Hals. This February, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum will honor Vermeer’s artistic legacy by showcasing the greatest collection of his works ever assembled in one location.

Despite being regarded as one of the most celebrated artists in history today, Vermeer passed away in debt and largely unknown. He lived and created in Delft, a city in the western Netherlands, during the 17th century and eventually became the head of his local painters' guild. Yet, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s, when the influential French art critic Théophile Thoré-Bürger was mesmerized by View of Delft (1660) at the Mauritshuis in 1842, that Vermeer gained widespread recognition.

Vermeer created a relatively limited number of paintings (many of which are now believed to be lost), with his works dispersed across various museums worldwide. To address this, the Rijksmuseum, which holds four of his masterpieces in its permanent collection, collaborated with several international institutions—including the Mauritshuis in The Hague, the Musée du Louvre in Paris, and New York’s Frick Collection and Metropolitan Museum of Art—to borrow their artworks for a grand exhibit simply named Vermeer, showcasing 28 of the artist's 36 known paintings.

Set to run from February 10 to June 4, 2023 (tickets priced at $31 for adults), the exhibition will highlight some of Vermeer’s most iconic pieces, including The Milkmaid (1658), Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (1657) (which has never been displayed in the Netherlands before), and, naturally, Girl with a Pearl Earring (1664). Additionally, visitors will be introduced to some of his lesser-known but equally captivating works, such as Lady Writing a Letter, with her Maid (1670), Young Woman Seated at the Virginals (1670), and Saint Praxedis (1655).

The idea for the exhibition emerged fortuitously. With the Frick Collection in New York closing for renovations, the Rijksmuseum saw an opportunity not only to borrow its three Vermeers (Officer and Laughing Girl (1655), Mistress and Maid (1666), and Girl Interrupted at Her Music (1660)), but also to create a comprehensive showcase of Vermeer’s paintings by collaborating with museums around the world.

"This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to see a significant number of Vermeer’s paintings gathered in one location," stated Taco Dibbits, general director of the Rijksmuseum, in a press release. "It’s an exciting chance for the public and all Vermeer enthusiasts, as well as researchers, conservators, and art historians."

A complementary exhibition at the Museum Prinsenhof Delft, titled Vermeer’s Delft, will delve into the Dutch master’s impact on his hometown and vice versa. This exhibit is set to coincide with the Vermeer exhibition. Admission is included with a ticket to the Museum Prinsenhof Delft, priced at $14 per person.