Among the great Dutch artists of the 17th century, Jan Vermeer is second in renown only to Rembrandt Van Rijn. He made little mark during his lifetime and then languished into obscurity. Almost all of the contemporary references to him are in colorless documents. He is never known to have left his native Delft, although he did enter the painters' guild there in 1653 and was twice elected headman but his teacher remains unknown.

There are only about forty known Vermeer paintings. Some early works are believed have been destroyed in the Delft magazine explosion of 1654. This small output may be at least partially explained by the fact that he almost certainly made his living by means other than painting. His father kept an inn and was a picture-dealer. It is likely Vermeer inherited both businesses. He also had grave financial troubles since he had fifteen children and his wife was declared insolvent the year after his death.

There are no known drawings by Vermeer and little is known of his working method. It is certain, however, that he made use of a camera obscura because some highlights in his paintings sometimes appear slightly out of focus which are effects duplicated by unsophisticated lenses. The scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek, celebrated for his work with microscopes, became the executor of Vermeer's estate and it may well have been an interest in optics that brought them together.

And for the record, as apposed to the movie about Vermeer's life, there is no evidence to support the fact that the "Girl with a Pearl" was, in fact, his servant.