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Young Woman with a Water Pitcher by Johannes Vermeer

Young Woman with a Water Pitcher

Johannes Vermeer · 1657

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“Stop and observe this exquisite painting, where Johannes Vermeer transforms a simple domestic scene into a study of light, texture, and quiet contemplation. It's a prime example of the beauty found in everyday moments.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A young woman stands bathed in soft morning light, holding a heavy water pitcher. Her gaze, directed out of the frame, suggests a momentary pause in her domestic routine. The rich blue of her jacket, likely made with expensive ultramarine pigment, catches the light, creating a focal point against the muted tones of the room. This intimate scene, set within a typical Dutch interior, captures a quiet dignity in everyday life. The painting invites us to consider the significance of ordinary moments and the hidden stories within them, a common theme in Dutch Golden Age genre painting. The meticulous rendering of textures and the play of light across surfaces create a sense of profound stillness and observation.

DETAILS
Artist
Johannes Vermeer
Date
1657
Medium
Oil on canvas
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
18 x 16 in. (45.7 x 40.6 cm)
Collection
European Paintings
Credit line
Marquand Collection, Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1889
ART MOVEMENTS
BaroqueDutch Golden Age painting
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

Young Woman with a Water Pitcher

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01

White headscarf

Look at the woman's pale headcovering and collar at the center. Its soft folds catch the light and make the brightest, most solid shape in the picture.

1 of 5 on the painting
02

Leaded glass window

Study the diamond and hexagon patterns in the window panes at far left. The blue-gray glass, divided by thin lead lines, lets in the cool light that seems to fill the room.

2 of 5 on the painting
03

Hand on the window

Follow her outstretched arm to the left, where her hand rests on the open window frame. Her other hand holds the pitcher, so one gesture reaches toward the light and the other toward the water.

3 of 5 on the painting
04

Pitcher and basin

Look at the metal pitcher and the wide basin beneath it. Soft highlights make the polished metal gleam, and her gaze and hand seem tied to the vessel.

4 of 5 on the painting
05

Map on the wall

The big map at upper right is painted in dull gold and brown, and it looks like a map of the Netherlands. A map like this hints at the wider Dutch world beyond this quiet room.

5 of 5 on the painting
AUDIO DEEP DIVE

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THE ARTIST

Johannes Vermeer

1632–1675 · Dutch Republic

Vermeer painted just 34 known works, yet became one of history's most beloved masters of light.

Read Vermeer’s full story
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Further Works by Vermeer

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A Maid Asleep A Maid Asleep 1656 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Young Woman with a Lute Young Woman with a Lute 1662 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Study of a Young Woman Study of a Young Woman 1665 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Allegory of the Catholic Faith Allegory of the Catholic Faith 1670 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art A Young Woman Reading A Young Woman Reading The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christ in the House of Martha and Mary Christ in the House of Martha and Mary 1650 · Scottish National Gallery Diana and her Nymphs Diana and her Nymphs 1650 · Mauritshuis The Girl with the Wine Glass The Girl with the Wine Glass 1650 · Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

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The Entombment of Christ The Entombment of Christ Caravaggio · 1600 · Pinacoteca Vaticana The Capture of Samson The Capture of Samson Rubens · 1609 · Art Institute of Chicago Kitchen Scene Kitchen Scene Velázquez · 1618 · Art Institute of Chicago Boy with a Lute Boy with a Lute Hals · 1620 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Vermeer and Baroque: works from the same years, and from the other movements Young Woman with a Water Pitcher belongs to.

Anna van der Aar (born 1576/77, died after 1626) Same movement · Dutch Golden Age painting Anna van der Aar (born 1576/77, died after 1626) Frans Hals · 1626 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Portrait of Catrina Hoogsaet Same era · 1640s–1670s Portrait of Catrina Hoogsaet Rembrandt · 1657 · National Trust Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) Same movement · Dutch Golden Age painting Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol (born about 1599, died 1671 or later) Rembrandt · 1626 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Frans Hals (1582/83–1666) Same era · 1640s–1670s Frans Hals (1582/83–1666) Frans Hals · 1650 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art portrait of Count Ludwig VI. von Hessen-Darmstadt Same era · 1640s–1670s portrait of Count Ludwig VI. von Hessen-Darmstadt Salomon Duarte · 1660 · Bavarian State Painting Collections A lady holding a crucifix Same era · 1640s–1670s A lady holding a crucifix Willem van der Vliet · 1650 The Denial of Saint Peter Same era · 1640s–1670s The Denial of Saint Peter Georges de La Tour · 1650 · Nantes Museum of Arts Resurrection of Christ Same era · 1640s–1670s Resurrection of Christ Samuel van Hoogstraten · 1665 · Art Institute of Chicago
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