Oude Langendijk (Vermeer Studio and Residence), Delft
According to historical records, by December 1660 Johannes Vermeer had moved in with his mother-in-law (Maria Thins) at her place on Oude Langendijk, at the heart of Delft's Catholic district, colloquially known as the "Papenhoek" (Papists' Corner), near the Nieuwe Kerk.
What exactly prompted his move 鈥� prior to which Vermeer, most certainly, had lived in the Mechelen Inn, owned by his father, on Groote Markt (Market Place) 鈥� is unknown. It might have been due to his marriage arrangement whereby he agreed to convert to Catholicism, or perhaps was just a matter of finance. Or else, it could have been that Johannes and/or his wife Catharina Thins found Mechelen not suitable for raising children. Whatever the reason, the young family moved into Maria Thins' home when Vermeer was approximately 28 years old.
By that time he had already completed his masterpiece 鈥淰iew of Delft鈥� and began experimenting with indoor subjects, like 鈥淭he Milkmaid鈥� and 鈥淥fficer and Laughing Girl鈥�. Once accustomed to his new residence/studio, Vermeer created a series of sublime paintings 鈥� so perfect in technique, that some critics described them as "pearl" ones.
In all probability, the Vermeer/Thins dwelling stood on the corner of two streets, Oude Langendijk and the narrow alley of Molenpoort (present day's Jozefstraat). The site of Vermeer's home is now occupied by the 19th-century Maria van Jesse Church. The commemorative plaque, initiated by the Dutch art historian and Vermeer expert Kees Kaldenbach, marks the former house location for those curious.
What exactly prompted his move 鈥� prior to which Vermeer, most certainly, had lived in the Mechelen Inn, owned by his father, on Groote Markt (Market Place) 鈥� is unknown. It might have been due to his marriage arrangement whereby he agreed to convert to Catholicism, or perhaps was just a matter of finance. Or else, it could have been that Johannes and/or his wife Catharina Thins found Mechelen not suitable for raising children. Whatever the reason, the young family moved into Maria Thins' home when Vermeer was approximately 28 years old.
By that time he had already completed his masterpiece 鈥淰iew of Delft鈥� and began experimenting with indoor subjects, like 鈥淭he Milkmaid鈥� and 鈥淥fficer and Laughing Girl鈥�. Once accustomed to his new residence/studio, Vermeer created a series of sublime paintings 鈥� so perfect in technique, that some critics described them as "pearl" ones.
In all probability, the Vermeer/Thins dwelling stood on the corner of two streets, Oude Langendijk and the narrow alley of Molenpoort (present day's Jozefstraat). The site of Vermeer's home is now occupied by the 19th-century Maria van Jesse Church. The commemorative plaque, initiated by the Dutch art historian and Vermeer expert Kees Kaldenbach, marks the former house location for those curious.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Delft. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Oude Langendijk (Vermeer Studio and Residence) on Map
Sight Name: Oude Langendijk (Vermeer Studio and Residence)
Sight Location: Delft, Netherlands (See walking tours in Delft)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Delft, Netherlands (See walking tours in Delft)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Delft, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Delft
Creating your own self-guided walk in Delft is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Delft Introduction Walking Tour
The word "delven" in Dutch means "to dig." The town of Delft began in 1075 when a nobleman decided to build his dream manor where a canal crossed the silted up river Gantel. A settlement became a market town with a large market square. The town was called "Delft."
Canals were vital to Delft. Flat-bottomed boats brought in products, fuel and people. In 1246 Count... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Canals were vital to Delft. Flat-bottomed boats brought in products, fuel and people. In 1246 Count... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Johannes Vermeer's Delft Walk
The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer (1632 鈥� 1675) spent almost his entire life in his home town, Delft. He left only a few times, towards the end, on the short trips to Amsterdam and The Hague.
The old Delft undoubtedly was one of the most typical little towns of the 17th-century Netherlands, and as such, was rather picturesque. Just like any other Dutch place, Delft was dominated by its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The old Delft undoubtedly was one of the most typical little towns of the 17th-century Netherlands, and as such, was rather picturesque. Just like any other Dutch place, Delft was dominated by its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles