Vermeer Centrum Delft - Delft

The Vermeer Centrum Delft offers a permanent exhibition full of insights into the life and work of the painter. It proudly displays reproductions of all his known paintings in one place. These are, of course, not the originals, but the quality is excellent and gives a clear impression of Vermeer’s full body of work.

You’ll discover the stories behind the 37 works attributed to him and get a sense of how he worked in his studio. Some visitors even spot hidden messages of love – because the Vermeer Centrum also lets you get to know the painter as a person.

The different displays place Vermeer’s life and work in the context of the Dutch Golden Age and daily life in Delft. Especially fascinating are the sections on his use of paint and materials, and the famous way he worked with light. There’s even a working camera obscura set up with a great view of the market square. This early version of the camera is really just a big box with a small hole that projects an image inside.

Whether Vermeer used such a device is still debated. He certainly would have known about it, as did many of his contemporaries. But there’s no proof he actually used one – no such device was ever found among his possessions.

The Vermeer Centrum also has a well-stocked gift shop with books and all kinds of Vermeer-related items. And throughout the nearby area, you’ll find six interactive info cubes – at Voldersgracht, at the corner of Vlamingstraat, on Oude Langendijk, at the Beestenmarkt, and at both the Oude and Nieuwe Kerk. All of these spots lie within the small area where Vermeer is believed to have spent his entire life.