Vermeer - The Rijksmuseum's major exhibition catalogue

Foreword by Taco Dibbits, general director, Rijksmuseum

Section I: Essays

1. Vermeer - Biography
An introduction to Vermeer's life and work

2. Vermeer - His House
Although little is known about Vermeer as a personality, an investigation into his direct environment reveals much more. Paying a visit to Oude Langendijk in Delft, this essay examines Vermeer's family members, household life and personal possessions.

3. Vermeer's Invented World
Vermeer's paintings are almost exclusively interiors, imbued with a momentary stillness in time which nevertheless has been carefully constructed and orchestrated to direct the observer's gaze. This creation of intimacy is the key theme of the exhibition.

Section II: The Paintings
Includes every painting by Vermeer, grouped in 13 thematic sections, each written by a curatorial authority. Each theme includes 2¿4 works:

Delft ¿ Coming Home
Paintings: View of the Delft, The Little Street

Inside ¿ Still-life Figures, Safe World
Paintings: A Maid Asleep, Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, The Milkmaid

Very Close ¿ Introvert
Paintings: Woman in Blue Reading a Letter, The Lacemaker

Secluded
Paintings: The Music Lesson, The Concert, The Love Letter

Windows ¿ The Outside World Inside
Paintings: Officer and Laughing Girl, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, Woman with a Lute, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher

Letters ¿ The World Outside Inside
Paintings: Mistress and Maid, A Lady Writing

Fashionable Intruders
Paintings: The Glass of Wine, The Girl with a Wine Glass, Girl Interrupted in her Music

Attraction/Across the Border
Paintings: Girl with a Red Hat, Girl with Flute, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Study of a Young Woman

Playing Music for.../Waiting for the (music-)partner
Paintings: A Lady Standing at a Virginal, A Lady Seated at a Virginal,

Both authors work at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Pieter Roelofs is Head of Paintings and Sculpture, and Gregor J. M. Weber is Head of the Department of Fine Arts.