VIEW OF DELFT

(Gezicht op Delft)

c. 1660-1661
oil on canvas
38 3/4 x 46 1/4 in. (98.5 x 117.5 cm.)
Mauritshuis, The Hague

"In Vermeer's painting the tower of the Old Church is hardly noticeable, whereas that of the New Church has been rendered prominent and twice too wide. Moreover, the bell tower proves to be empty! Recently, documents were discovered which prove that the carillon bells of this New Church tower were renewed and were hoisted down in the summer of 1660 during a restoration by the Hemony firm. Vermeer worked slowly and carefully on his paintings, which he put to the side to dry from time to time. The empty bell tower thus points at a date of 1660, nicely confirming the date which was proposed on stylistic grounds. The painting may have been finished in 1661 to 1663."

Drs. Kees Kaldenbach, The "View of Delft'" by Johannes Vermeer, a Guided Art History Tour

The View of Delft, Johannes Vermeer