Painted around 1665: The exact date is uncertain, but it's believed to have been created during the mid-1660s.
Mystery surrounds it: Much about the painting remains unknown, including the identity of the girl and why Vermeer painted it. It might have been a "tronie" (a study of a head or face) rather than a commissioned portrait.
Lost for centuries: After Vermeer's death, the painting disappeared for over 200 years.
Rediscovered and recognized: It resurfaced in the late 19th century and gradually gained recognition for its beauty and mystery.
Now a world-famous icon: "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is now one of the most beloved and recognizable paintings in the world, housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.
Peter Farell
