vermeer centre

Johannes Vermeer: world renowned and utterly unknown at the same time. In Delft, the city of his birth, tourists and admirers have already been searching for years for any traces that might have been left behind by this mysterious painter. Finally the whole story can now be experienced in the Vermeer Centre. But how do you make the acquaintance of the Master when we know so little about him and his paintings are spread all over the world? How do you combine the analysis of art historians with an invitation that still principally involves visitors looking and discovering for themselves? And how do explain the work of a genius without losing its uniqueness and mystery?

Across the Centre’s three floors, visitors meet the people in Vermeer’s life, go on a journey of discovery in his studio, and try out his techniques for themselves in the Vermeerlab. We developed a multi-layered narrative in which we composed an appropriate mix of media for each subject. You find yourself next to Vermeer’s fellow Guild members for example, just as they start to discuss the Milkmaid. And you experience for yourself how reality is manipulated in a life-size Vermeer painting. Looking and discovering for yourself is the central theme. Tinker developed the concept, the story, designed the exhibits and led the project.