During his lifetime, Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) was hardly known beyond his birthplace Delft and a small circle of patrons. After his death, his name quickly fell into obscurity, and some of his works were even attributed to other artists. It was not until the mid-19th century that Vermeer came into the focus of the international art world, which suddenly recognized the narrative details, the carefully crafted textures, and the magnificent layers of light in his works and discovered his genius.

His works inspired Timothy Brooks' nonfiction bestseller Vermeer's Hat and Tracy Chevalier's highly successful novel Girl with a Pearl Earring, whose film adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth became a box office hit. Vermeer exhibitions set visitor records from Amsterdam to Washington. At the Mauritshuis in The Hague, special measures had to be taken to manage the daily influx of art enthusiasts eager to see Vermeer's "Dutch Mona Lisa" – the equally captivating and mysterious Girl with a Pearl Earring.

This comprehensive catalog of Vermeer's works gathers the calm yet captivating paintings that are treasured like gems in museums and galleries across Europe and the USA. In a generous format with unparalleled quality reproductions, especially vivid on three fold-out pages, Vermeer's limited but atmospherically rich repertoire of domestic activities unfolds: from letter writing to making music to kitchen preparations. Numerous details highlight the artist's outstanding ability to capture both the trends and fashions of the Dutch Golden Age and to tell a complete story in just a fleeting gesture, expression, or appearance.