This lively portrait of the artist and his environment helps readers become acquainted with the life and times of Jan Vermeer. With only 37 known works, Vermeer's oeuvre affords readers an opportunity to become intimately acquainted with his paintings and with daily life in seventeenth-century Holland. Here readers will learn about the Golden Age of Dutch artistry, the culture and community of Delft, and how Vermeer revolutionized the style and content of portraits and still-lifes. Written in an engaging, journalistic style and including full-color reproductions, this volume will give readers a glimpse into Vermeer's private life and the inspirations behind his paintings, giving insight into a genius whose work continues to intrigue us today.