If the ‘Young Woman Seated at a Virginal’ would have been displayed in the Mauritshuis or the Rijksmuseum, he wouldn’t have been so lucky, as photographing is prohibited there, like in many European museums, which, for the sake of the paintings’ security, is understandable, though sometimes hard to accept.

But yesterday in the Rijksmuseum, as I visited the ‘Woman Holding a Balance’, which, after absent from Amsterdam for ca. 120 years, came back for a 3-months-visit, I realised that not all visitors obeyed this prohibition, as some took shots even with flash. Normally I strictly observe every prohibition, but this time, with this unique reunion of three Vermeers once united in the same collection in front of me, I – in the sad moment of saying good-bye for good – forgot all my principles and took one short shot to memorize this view (luckily it came out not too bad). Although the guard came immediately (although failed to recognize several cases of photographing before) I at the end felt no guilt this time as this view was too precious.

I could imagine quite well that Vermeer, with his far-reaching interest in the sciences of his time, would certainly have made use of all these modern utilities, like digital camera, computer, internet, maybe an iPhone. If he would have traveled as much and as far as his paintings do today, is rather unlikely, as his various duties, both in public and private (regarding his large family), wouldn’t simply get him the necessary time to do so.

But there is absolutely no doubt, that he would have the sincerest appreciation for the Essential Vermeer as well as for the outstanding masterpieces of its director.

AR