Filled with brilliant reproductions and engaging new texts and reflecting the latest scholarship, this portable and attractively priced volume is the perfect introduction to the most celebrated painter of the Dutch Golden Age. Highlighted by domestic scenes and witty allegories that fuse the ordinary with the extraordinary, Vermeer's luminous paintings have captivated and inspired art enthusiasts for centuries. This book spotlights dozens of his works with stunning reproductions that enable readers to appreciate his mastery of light and shadow, meticulous brushwork, his extraordinary gift for capturing human emotion on canvas, and his innovative use of optical devices. An introductory essay provides biographical background, examines Vermeer's work in the context of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, and explores his enormous influence on modern artists and popular culture.