Very nice book ,I have been very spoilt and was sent this book along with my ornament. Looking forward to reading it after Christmas, and will journal again when I have finished.

I really loved this story a real nice book to read on a lazy day. As usual it took me awhile to get to this book but one day finally got here. I feel guilty if I read a book before the ones on my TBR pile as they wait long enough. I should have read this earlier if I knew it was so nice. I will be sending it on to another bookcrosser by mail.

Received in the mail today. Thank you so much binkybuffy :)

Took this book to Brisbane with me for a postcrossing Meetup. What a lovely story, so beautifully written. I enjoyed it very much, especially the parts where Griet, the heroine, relates her daily life as the maid to the painter Vermeer.

An interesting concept, and very cleverly written :)

I enjoyed this book very much. Thank you so much binkybuffy for sending it to me :)

"The Girl with a Pearl Earring" is one of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's masterworks and as the name implies, uses a pearl earring for a focal point. The painting is currently housed at The Mauritshuis in The Hague. It is sometimes referred to as "the Dutch Mona Lisa".

Very little is known about Vermeer and his works. This painting is signed "IVMeer", but not dated. It is unclear whether or not this work was commissioned, and if so by whom. In any case, it was probably not meant as a conventional portrait.

More recent Vermeer literature points to the image being a "tronie", the Dutch 17th century description of a "head" that was not meant to be a portrait. After the most recent restoration of the painting in 1994 the subtle colour scheme and the intimacy of the girl’s gaze has been greatly enhanced.

On the advice of Victor de Stuer, who for years tried to prevent Vermeer's rare works from being sold to parties abroad, A.A. des Tombe purchased the work at an auction in The Hague in 1881 for only two guilders and thirty cents. At the time, the painting was in very bad condition. Des Tombe had no heirs and donated this and other paintings to the Mauritshuis in 1902.

I received this book with a parcel of 12 others from misterteapot. Thank you so much.

A wonderful story, a beautifully told imagining of the genesis and subject of a great work of art. I liked Griet and the feeling of quiet self-containment about her.

My elderly mother also read it and loved it.

To be released to a non-bookcrosser.