Jan Vermeer: ​​The Rays of Art and the Shadow of Poverty in Still Life

Still life is an amazing genre that draws attention to everyday objects, creating compositions full of harmony. One of the masters of this art was Jan Vermeer, a Dutch Golden Age artist whose works are striking in their sophistication.

Vermeer was a member of the local art guild in Delft, and his work is often associated with the Delft style of painting.

His artistic journey was short-lived, and today his legacy includes only about 34 known works. This small body of work includes portraits, religious subjects, and stunning still lifes.

He often used the theme of everyday objects in his still lifes, embodying beauty in the smallest details, be it a bouquet of flowers, fruit or musical instruments.

As for the personal life of Jan Vermeer, much remains in the shadows. He was married to Katharina Bolnes and they had 11 children. Financial difficulties plagued the artist for most of his life, despite his magnificent works. 

As a result of the Dutch War with France, which began in 1672 (and lasted until 1679), the painting trade came to a standstill. In her petition for partial forgiveness of debts, dated April 30, 1676, Vermeer's wife explained that during the war her husband was forced to sell paintings at a reduced price.

The artist became despondent, and in December 1675 Vermeer lost consciousness. It is unclear what exactly happened, but a day and a half later he died.