For my first novel i read the girl with a dragon tattoo in which one of the main characters lisabeth is portrayed as quite a heroic woman and i think it would be interesting to compare her with the girl with a pearl earring. The girl with a pearl earring study guide contains a biography of tracy chevalier, 100 quiz questions, a glossary, major themes, a list of characters, and a full summary and analysis. I hadnt realised chevalier had a second book out either this sounds like an insightful, intriguing kind of a read will pick up both of these for my parents i think, christmas gifting always includes several books from me so thanks for this post caz xx. Tracy chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richlyimagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of. Whats so special about vermeers girl with a pearl earring. No one knows who the girl is, or in fact who any of the people in his paintings are. Girl with a pearl earring author tracy chevalier on her. The girl with a pearl earring is the story of griet, a sixteenyear old girl who is hired by the famous painter, vermeer, to clean his studio. Who is vermeers anonymous girl with a pearl earring. In her novel girl with a pearl earring, tracey chevalier, explores many thematic concerns in relation to women, in the iboos.
All of these elements are guessed at by the filmmakers as they regard a painting made in about 1665 by johannes vermeer. And the painter is captivated by her brilliance as well as her wildly tumbling hair once she removes her cap and so. Almost nothing is known of painter johannes vermeers life, and he was not. Reading guide for girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. The works masterly three dimensional effect, brilliant color and hitherto hidden subtleties of the flesh tones were revealed as they were originally intended by vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring was a revealing love story inspired by a beautiful painting from the 17th century. Girl with a pearl earring major character analysis supersummary. The girl with a pearl earring was completely restored in 1994 by the department of the mauritshuis in a room with a glass wall that permitted the public to follow restoration. Finally, as model for what will become the celebrated the girl with a pearl earring, she knows before vermeer does that it is precisely the earring s spark that is needed to ignite the portrait. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier book club. The elegant prose evokes contemplation, the pace is slow and cumulative the drama emotional rather than visceral. Girl with a pearl earring major character analysis griet as the narrator and subject of this bildungsroman, griet is the central character of this book and the only one whose mind we have access to as readers. This exquisite film is based on a bestselling novel by tracy chevalier about the possible events behind the painting of one of vermeers most beguiling works, girl with a pearl earring.
Very little is known about vermeerhe left no writings, not even any drawings, just 35 paintings. Dec 28, 2003 on the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred to the screen. Insight text guides girl with a pearl earring is designed to help secondary english students understand and analyse the text. Even so, girl with a pearl earring only became one of vermeers more famous pieces around the turn of the 21st century, with the 1995 blockbuster exhibition at the national gallery of art in washington, d. Started reading the book on the fifteenth of may, finished it the twentythird and watched the movie on the twentyseventh. Girl with a pearl earring quotes by tracy chevalier. Girl with a pearl earring summary and study guide supersummary. Girl with a pearl earring, tracy chevalier girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel written by tracy chevalier. In 1999, american author tracy chevalier published girl with a pearl earring, a novel directly inspired by one of vermeers most famous works of the same name. During conservation treatment in 1994, one of three highlights on the pearl s surface was revealed to be a flake of loosened paint. Girl with a pearl earring the story tracy chevalier. The novel is narrated in the first person by a sixteenyearold girl named griet, who lives in the dutch city of delft.
Griet was the daughter of a protestant delft tile painter. Though girl with a pearl earring appears to be about one man and woman, there are several relationships at work. It is about things not said, opportunities not taken, potentials not realized, lips unkissed. Set in 17thcentury delft, holland, the novel was inspired by local painter johannes. Set in 17th century delft, holland, the novel was inspired by delft school painter johannes vermeers painting girl with a pearl earring. Set in 17thcentury delft, holland, the novel was inspired by local painter johannes vermeers girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on girl with a pearl. The screenplay was adapted by screenwriter olivia hetreed, based on the 1999 novel of the same name by tracy chevalier. I hadnt known about him before i took a grammar course where the professor used tracy chevaliers book, girl with a pearl earring, to teach the course. A subtle highlight on the girl s lip, made by vermeer but overpainted during past treatment, was also uncovered. With precisely 35 canvases to his credit, the dutch painter johannes vermeer represents one of the great enigmas of 17thcentury art. Girl with a pearl earring tracks the coming of age of a teenage girl, griet, given as a servant to the family of famous painter, vermeer. Along with another genre painting titled the milkmaid, girl with a pearl earring is vermeers most wellknown work of art.
The novel revolving around the painting vermeer created of the girl with a pearl earring, the entire plot builds up to the modeling and painting of griet, the maidservant become an artists canvas subject. I also enjoy reading books set during renaissance which made the novel more appealing. Sep 18, 2011 girl with a pearl earring depicts life in 17th century delft, a small dutch city. Johannsons face is as complex and haunting as the portrait of the anonymous girl she portrays. With the speck removed, the pearl appears again as vermeer intended. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier goodreads. This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author tracy chevalier, tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the painting girl with a pearl earring by 17th century dutch master johannes vermeer. Vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring around 1665. Feb 01, 20 making up a history for vermeers girl with a pearl earring vermeers famous girl with a pearl earring has returned to the united states for the first time since 1995. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model, and the painting. The new york times bestselling novel by the author of a single thread and at the edge of the orchard. Sep 10, 2000 girl with a pearl earring is an amazing work of art, bringing to life an era that i know little about but now want to know better.
It was also nice to get a glimpse into the life and mind of a common girl. Making up a history for vermeers girl with a pearl earring. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model and the painting. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of sixteenyearold griet. The chromatic harmony of the yellow of clios book and the blue of her wrap seem to have been inverted in dress and headdress of the girl with a pearl earring. The novel was adapted into a 2003 film of the same name and a 2008 play. Ive not read the girl with a pearl earring, but i know i really should. In tracy chevaliers girl with a pearl earring, the subject of johannes vermeers most famous painting is brought to life. The painting shows a young woman regarding us over. Girl with a pearl earring is an amazing work of art, bringing to life an era that i know little about but now want to know better. This was a very enjoyable story about a fascinating painting. Based on a novel, the film follows a young peasant maid who goes to work for an artisan and ends up. Sep 18, 2018 vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring around 1665.
Girl with a pearl earring study guides and book summaries. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The book is based on real life painting girl with a pearl earring which influenced the books setting. Clearly, one of the central themes of this excellent novel is the way in which characters are. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of girl with a pearl earring. The girl with the pearl earring is griet, the vermeers housemaid, hired in particular to clean vermeers studio without disturbing its order. Girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel written by tracy chevalier. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of griet, a 16yearold dutch girl who becomes a maid in the house of the painter johannes vermeer. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
Chevaliers imagining of vermeer and his world, and griet, the maid who becomes the girl with a pearl earring, has actually. As a catholic, he demonstrates a reverent appreciation for the inherent beauty of human bodies and objects when bathed in light. On the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred to the screen. Books similar to girl with a pearl earring girl with a pearl earring. Set in 17th century delft, holland, chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the girl in the painting and the artwork itself. The book is based on real life painting girl with a pearl earring which influenced the books serting, 17th century in delft the protestants and catholic were separated and attended different churches. Translated into thirtynine languages and made into an oscarnominated film, starring scarlett johanson and colin firth. Dec 26, 2003 girl with a pearl earring is a quiet movie, shaken from time to time by ripples of emotional turbulence far beneath the surface. It is an amazing book about the struggles of a remarkable young woman trying to find love, and is highly recommended for young adult readers on the novel ideas booklist.
Girl with a pearl earring is a magnificent contemplative art work and a beautiful dramatic romance based on a famous painting, which has this name. A similar item of jewellery can be seen in a woman brought a letter by a maid aka lady with her maidservant c. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The movie superbly captures the shadows and lights of vermeers delft.
Girl with a pearl earring is a thoroughly engaging novel that follows the lifechanging experiences of quiet griet. Tracy chevalier on the filming of girl with a pearl earring. This comprehensive study guide to tracy chevaliers novel contains. Genre painting, painting of scenes from everyday life, of ordinary people in work or recreation, depicted in a generally realistic manner. When tracy chevalier penned girl with a pearl earring, a novel that eventually sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and became the launching pad for this movie, she was inspired by a poster in her bedroom of johannes vermeers painting of the same name. However, it did not attain international fame at its time of completion. Girl with a pearl earring is a 2003 drama film directed by peter webber. Girl with a pearl earring critical evaluation essay.
It is known that the maid who worked in vermeers house was the model and inspiration for such a piece of arts. In midcareer, the renowned 17th century baroque artist johannes vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring, which has been called the dutch mona lisa. Tracy chevalier had the book set in the 1600s, the time when the actual painting girl with a pearl earring was created, she also had griets hometown as delft, holland which. Girl with a pearl earring is a historical drama that takes a fascinating look at art culture. The gorgeously filmed girl with a pearl earring is a commentary on artistic imperatives, the creative process, and the way we look at things. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story behind the advent of this famous painting, all the while depicting life in 17th century delft, a small dutch city with a burgeoning art community. Chevaliers imagining of vermeer and his world, and griet, the maid who becomes the girl with a pearl earring, has actually become my understanding of the painter and the painting. Complete summary of tracy chevaliers girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring is an engaging fictionalization. Girl with a pearl earring 2003 girl with a pearl earring. Perhaps youve heard of the famous piece, girl with a pearl earring, by the artist johannes vermeer.
Often painting is romanticized, which it is here, but we also see the worry the other family members have as the money box is repeatedly emptied, and purchases must be made by credit. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier, paperback. Her behaviour towards vermeer and her environment, is undergoing a great bending. Going by various names over the centuries, it became known by its present title towards the end of the 20th century after the large pearl earring worn by the girl portrayed there. It is one of just 35 paintings attributed to the painter, who saw moderate success during his lifetime. Girl with a pearl earring displays a side of painting that is not often showed. The final but most noticeable feature of this picture is the girl s enormous, tearshaped pearl earring. Scarlett johansson stars as griet, a young 17thcentury servant in the household of the dutch painter johannes vermeer played by colin firth at the time he painted girl with a pearl earring 1665 in. It did at times feel a little slow, but that was okay by me. The majority of books set during the time, both fiction and nonfiction, are written from the perspective of a noble person. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Girl with a pearl earring 2003 directed by peter webber. Fittingly, chevaliers writing style adopts a painterly approach.
Only a few facts are known about vermeers life, so she imagined a back story. The scarf which falls from the blue knotted turban is very similar to the one which hangs from the stilllife in the vienna canvas. Girl with a pearl earring depicts life in 17th century delft, a small dutch city. Author of girl with a pearl earring, set in the home. Looking at the painting after having read the novel. Going by various names over the centuries, it became known by its present title towards the end of the 20th century after the large pearl earring worn by the girl.