The Significance of Unimportance: P.A.I.N.T.I.N.G.: Flavors of Pearl

In an unknown year, a Dutch master named Johannes Vermeer, painted “Girl With a Pearl Earring” – one of the most famous paintings in the world. However, the painting’s history is mostly blank: when Vermeer painted it, who the girl with the pearl earring was and who commissioned it is unknown. Vermeer didn’t date the painting with his signature, so there is much mystery to the work. In fact, there is speculation that the girl in the painting isn’t real, but a figment of Vermeer’s imagination.

All the mystery paired with this painting and the girl made me think. She could be anyone, even if she is fictional. In extension, anyone could be “anyone.” People often have different forms of themselves around different groups of people, which is what inspired this piece featuring “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”

Enjoy!