“The Sphinx of Delft”: coined by French journalist and art critic Théophile Thoré-Bürger when he revealed Vermeer to the world late in the 19th century, this famous expression has served mainly to promote an enigmatic image of the painter. The myth of the solitary genius has done the rest. Yet Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675) did not attain his level of creative mastery in isolation from the art of his time.

Through comparisons with the works of other artists of the Golden Age—among them Gerrit Dou, Gerard ter Borch, Jan Steen, Pieter de Hooch, Gabriel Metsu, Caspar Netscher, and Frans van Mieris—the exhibition brings to light Vermeer’s membership of a network of painters specializing in the depiction of everyday life while admiring, inspiring, and vying with each other. This dynamic rivalry played its part in the remarkable quality of their respective works; in this context we might be tempted to think of Vermeer as just one painter among others, but in point of fact this reciprocal contact tended to render his temperament sharper and more individual.

Practical information

From February 22 to May 22, 2017

Location
Hall Napoléon, under the Pyramid

Admission
€15 (permanent collections + exhibitions)

Opening hours
Every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesday.
Late-night openings until 9:45 p.m.on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until May 22, 2017.

Le Hall Napoléon is at 16 minutes from the hotel Bellechasse Saint-Germain.