Vermeer and the Delft School.

2001. 626pp with 87 colour plates, 138 colour and 301 monochrome illustrations. Hardback 31x24.8cms. ISBN: 0300088485, 0870999737. Portrait, interior, landscape, townscape and history paintings by De Hooch, Fabritius, van Aelst, Pynacker and de Witte are exhibited alongside lesser known artists, such as van Couwenbergh, Houckgeest, van Miereveld and Vosmaer in this superbly illustrated volume. The aim of the exhibition is to ascertain to what extent Vermeer was indebted to the artistic traditions of his native city, Delft, and to the character of its society. It also brings into question the significance and influence of Vermeer in the development of the Delft School, and concludes whether or not the Delft "school" existed in any meaningful sense. The paintings are complemented by examples of contemporary decorative arts, drawings and prints, all of which have been drawn from major international museums. Detailed bibliography, index. Text in English.