The largest exhibition of paintings by the renowned artist Vermeer will take place in Amsterdam.

It's not uncommon for museums around the world to hold exhibitions dedicated to Johannes Vermeer – known as one of the most famous Dutch painters, alongside Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Mondrian. However, bringing Vermeer's works together in a museum in his homeland for an exhibition is a rare occurrence.

The exhibition, to be held at the Rijksmuseum in 2023, will not be just an ordinary exhibition, but is considered the largest gathering of Vermeer's works ever.

In addition to the four works owned by the museum, including "The Milkmaid" and "Woman Reading a Letter," the Rijksmuseum also borrowed other works from various museums around the world, such as: "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (Mauritshuis Museum, Netherlands), "The Geographer" (Stadel Museum, Germany), "Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid" (National Museum of Ireland), "Woman Holding a Balance" (National Art Museum of America), and "Girl Reading a Letter at the Open Window" (Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister Museum, Germany).

Martine Gosselink, director of the Mauritshuis Museum, said: "Girl with a Pearl Earring is a world-famous Dutch girl, and we are delighted to be able to lend that painting to create a collaboration between the two museums. We will miss her terribly when she is not here for a while, but an exhibition of Vermeer without Girl with a Pearl Earring is not a true Vermeer exhibition."

The director of the Rijksmuseum, Taco Dibbits, said: "We didn't think there were so many museums willing to lend their masterpieces, and we are incredibly grateful for that. With this exhibition, we will be showcasing Vermeer's paintings on an unprecedented scale, and will be presenting the latest research on Vermeer."

He added: "It's difficult for researchers to travel between museums to see each of the artist's paintings." Therefore, the exhibition at the Rijksmuseum, scheduled from February 10th to June 4th, 2023, will be a suitable place for researchers and the public alike to get closer to Vermeer's paintings without spending much time or effort.

Johannes Vermeer, born in 1632, lived and worked in Delft, a region in western the Netherlands. He was one of the greatest artists in history, alongside Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Picasso, yet very few people know about him and his works. He was virtually unknown as an artist until his death at the age of 43 in 1675.

Vermeer is believed to have painted 35 paintings, 23 of which were exhibited 26 years ago at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, Netherlands. Now, the latest technology in art research has revealed the meticulousness and dedication involved in creating his paintings, with lengthy painting times and the use of the most expensive pigments of the time.

Khanh Ha