VERMEER, Johannes
(b. 1632, Delft, d. 1675, Delft)

The Guitar Player (detail)

c. 1672
Oil on canvas
Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood House, London

The pastoral landscape in the background and the guitar are both signs of love. But this is no Arcadia. Love has to hide away in the secrecy of a darkened room.