The Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer is considered one of the principal genre painters of the 17th century. His oeuvre, composed of only 35 attributable works, displays an unprecedented level of artistic mastery in its consummate illusion of reality. In this fully illustrated Grove Art Essentials title, explore the biography and work of the enigmatic artist. In addition to an extensive bibliography, this volume, written by noted scholar of 17th century Dutch art history, Wayne Franits, delves into the artist's working methods and techniques, iconography, and discusses the modern rediscovery and critical reception that has installed Vermeer as one of the most celebrated and most closely studied masters of the art historical cannon.