An artwork on Galleree from Rijksmuseum.
About the artwork
View of Houses in Delft, Known as ‘The Little Street’, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1658h 54.3cm × w 44cm × d 9cm
Johannes Vermeer
oil on canvas
In the hushed corners of the art world, there lies an unusual painting by the master, Johannes Vermeer. It invites you to step into a quiet street, where a few humble houses stand resolute against the backdrop of time. These structures, adorned with worn bricks and patches of white plaster, seem to whisper stories of the lives that once unfolded within their walls.
Vermeer, with his painterly vision, has conjured a scene that resonates with a curious balance—a delicate dance between serenity and tension. The air is thick with the kind of stillness that makes you pause, inviting contemplation. You can almost feel the texture of the old bricks under your fingertips, their stories embedded in every crack and crevice, echoing the passage of years.
Among these homes, a couple of figures strolls, their movements fluid yet careful, as if they too sense the weight of history pressing down like an unyielding shadow. In this intimacy of street and dwellers, Vermeer captures a fleeting moment, an exploration of the everyday that is both ordinary and extraordinary.
Though the exact part of Delft this scene depicts is lost to the annals of time, the magic of Vermeer’s brushwork understands no limits. It beckons us to linger in the tranquility of this moment, to ponder the lives that intersected here, and perhaps, to reflect on our own journeys through the tapestry of existence.
About the artist
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands. We tell the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from 1200 to now. We showcase over 8,000 works of art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. In addition, we organize several exhibitions per year from our own collection and with (inter) national loans. In the Rijksmuseum you get to know the greatest works of art down to the smallest details.The artwork posted on this site is through the museum's public domain/CC0 data and does not imply endorsement.
Address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The best place to view Rijksmuseum‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.