The Holland Rijksmuseum is sending Vermeer’s “The Milk Maid” to the Met in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Manhattan by Henry Hudson. (In 1609, he sailed down the now Hudson River to ”New Amsterdam” while searching for a route to Asia)
Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer, (1632 – 1675), was born in Delft, the Netherlands. During the 17th century, the “golden age” of Holland, the middle class became rich as a result of trade. These merchants used their excess money to become patrons of the arts and their wealth supported artists like Vermeer.
5 more of his paintings, along with the work of other artists from Delft , Pieter de Hooch, Gabriël Metsu, Nicolaes Maes, Emanuel de Witte, Hendrick van Vliet, and Hendrick Sorgh, will be on view.
“Vermeer’s Masterpiece The Milk Maid” – September 10 to November 29, 2009
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, NYC