This Dutch painter, born in 1632 and died in 1675, enjoyed a very limited reputation: more precisely, a reputation limited to the Delft region where he lived. He is known to have produced around twenty works over the course of his career. For this reason, after his death, Vermeer fell into oblivion. It was not until the second half of the nineteenth century that Vermeer's name regained widespread recognition - this time internationally! - thanks to French artists and intellectuals.