The Girl with a Pearl Earring. Nihal D Amerasekera

The Girl with a Pearl Earring

Nihal D Amerasekera

Every year we do a family holiday together. This year we went to Deal in Kent. There we stayed in a large Victorian house by the sea. The house had all the trappings of an era now long gone. We arrived at our destination late on a long summer evening.  The sun was still shining bright and it was hot. Tired after the long journey we all craved for some wine. As we all sat in the spacious lounge, I was struck by the gaze of a beautiful girl. This enigmatic gaze was both intimate and ambiguous. Actually, she was peering through the glass of a framed painting. I was simply mesmerized and bewitched by her beauty. I had seen the painting before and had to get closer to appreciate the subtle nuances of her gaze.

The painting of the ‘Girl with pearl earrings” was done by Johannes Vermeer, a Dutch painter circa 1665. The original was done in oil on canvas and presently hangs in the Mauritshuis museum in the Hague, Netherlands. The girl in the painting looks distinctly European but with an oriental turban. There is much speculation, but the true subject of this painting is unknown. Some say she is a Biblical figure. Others believe it is Sybil from Greek mythology. There is also a suggestion she may be Maria, the painter’s daughter. Could she be a real model?

Some believe this is not a painting of a real person but a ‘tronie’ which is just a painting of an imaginary figure as was sometimes done in those days. The lack of moles and scars on the face, it seems, supports this view.

Johannes Vermeer is one of the most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century. He is famous for his amazing use of light. This is shown here in the softness of the girl’s face and the glimmers of light on her moist lips. He has managed to capture a calm and captivating look on her face. She has a most striking gaze. The dark background creates a timeless atmosphere. The prominent pearl earring adds to the painting's air of mystery and exoticism.

It was first called “ The girl with a turban”. The turban was then a fashion accessory during the long years of Turkish wars. It was much later when it was called “The girl with a pearl earring”.

In 1999 Tracy Chevalier wrote a historical novel “ Girl with a pearl earring” inspired by this painting. She creates a story about the association of Vermeer and the model, Griet.  According to Tracy Chevalier her expression has been described as a mix of innocence and experience, joy and sorrow, longing and loss.  The novel was adapted into a 2003 film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, directed by Peter Webber.

On returning home from our holiday I made the decision to draw the girl with the pearl earrings to the best of my ability. I knew it would be a huge challenge and a gargantuan task. This took me a couple of weeks to complete. As always, I am never fully satisfied with the final outcome. But I know my limitations. I just hope I have done her justice by recreating her beauty, innocence and naivety and that mesmerizing gaze with a tinge of sadness.

I believe paintings, poems and music are closely interwoven and have much in common to create beauty, charm and elegance in our minds. A very famous poem about a girl is "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron. The poem describes a woman's external beauty and inner grace, emphasizing her harmonious and balanced nature. The piece of music that comes easily to mind is Debussy’s "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair". His successful portrayal of the girl’s emotions is tied in with the musical simplicity of the prelude. A most beautiful piece of music which is one of my favourites.

From AI:

Recent research using advanced imaging techniques has revealed new details about the painting's creation and hidden features, including a green curtain behind the girl and the presence of eyelashes. Girl with a Pearl Earring" has gained immense popularity in recent times, becoming a cultural icon and inspiring a bestselling novel and a film adaptation. It has even been called "The Mona Lisa of the North", highlighting its captivating nature and the lingering mystery surrounding its subject.