Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most famous paintings in history. Often called the Dutch Mona Lisa, this masterpiece continues to captivate viewers with its mysterious subject and beautiful play of light.
This quiz covers Vermeer’s life, his choice of expensive pigments, and the story behind his subject. Some questions ask about the film adaptation, while others look at his technical methods.
After you finish, you can read about other famous artists, study classic painting techniques, or explore famous masterpieces.
Around which year is Johannes Vermeer’s painting ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ estimated to have been created?
1675
1675
1655
1655
1685
1685
1665
1665
In which country is the museum known as the Mauritshuis, the permanent home of the painting, located?
Germany
Germany
Belgium
Belgium
The Netherlands
The Netherlands
France
France
Due to the enigmatic expression of the subject and its worldwide fame, what is the popular nickname given to this painting?
The Princess of the Lowlands
The Princess of the Lowlands
The Dutch Sphinx
The Dutch Sphinx
The Lady of Delft
The Lady of Delft
The Mona Lisa of the North
The Mona Lisa of the North
Which author wrote the historical novel ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, published in 1999?
Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier
Dan Brown
Dan Brown
Donna Tartt
Donna Tartt
Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory
Which actress portrayed the character ‘Griet’ in the 2003 film adaptation of the novel?
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Art historians classify ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ not as a traditional portrait, but as what type of character study common in the Dutch Golden Age?
Landscape
Landscape
Portrait
Portrait
Tronie
Tronie
Still life
Still life
What expensive pigment, derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, did Vermeer famously use to paint the subject’s blue turban?
Charcoal
Charcoal
Ultramarine
Ultramarine
Ochre
Ochre
Malachite
Malachite
Many scholars believe Vermeer used which optical device to help him achieve the unique light and perspective in his paintings?
Camera obscura
Camera obscura
Printing press
Printing press
Perspective grid
Perspective grid
Magnifying lens
Magnifying lens
What distinct painting technique of applying small, rounded dots of paint did Vermeer use to suggest the reflection of light, particularly visible on the girl’s clothing?
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
Pointillé
Pointillé
Impasto
Impasto
Sfumato
Sfumato
What is the primary medium used by Vermeer to create ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’?
Oil on canvas
Oil on canvas
Tempera on wood
Tempera on wood
Fresco on plaster
Fresco on plaster
Watercolor on paper
Watercolor on paper
In which Dutch city is the Mauritshuis art museum located?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Delft
Delft
The Hague
The Hague
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Around which year did Johannes Vermeer paint ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’?
1685
1685
1665
1665
1655
1655
1675
1675
In the 1999 novel, what is the background of the girl who becomes the subject of the painting?
A maid in the artist’s household
A maid in the artist’s household
A fictional traveler from Italy
A fictional traveler from Italy
The artist’s eldest daughter
The artist’s eldest daughter
A famous noblewoman of the time
A famous noblewoman of the time
Beyond the blue headscarf, what is the primary color of the subject’s tunic/jacket in the painting?
Purple
Purple
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Red
Red
How did the painting eventually end up in the collection of the Mauritshuis?
It was bequeathed by a collector in 1902
It was bequeathed by a collector in 1902
It was gifted by the royal family in 1915
It was gifted by the royal family in 1915
It was donated by the city council in 1910
It was donated by the city council in 1910
It was purchased from a dealer in 1895
It was purchased from a dealer in 1895
Which statement accurately describes the background of the ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’?
The background is a bright white wall
The background is a bright white wall
The background is dark and indistinct
The background is dark and indistinct
The background is a detailed landscape
The background is a detailed landscape
The background features a grand interior
The background features a grand interior
What is considered the primary artistic effect of the painting’s undetailed, dark background?
To represent the dark night in Delft
To represent the dark night in Delft
Due to a lack of paint pigments in his studio
Due to a lack of paint pigments in his studio
To bring the viewer’s focus entirely to the subject’s face
To bring the viewer’s focus entirely to the subject’s face
To follow the strict rules of the Guild of Saint Luke
To follow the strict rules of the Guild of Saint Luke
Many technical examinations have suggested that the famous ‘earring’ depicted is likely not a real pearl, but rather what?
A piece of polished ivory
A piece of polished ivory
A large glass bead with a shiny glaze
A large glass bead with a shiny glaze
A silver ball
A silver ball
A polished pearl imported from the Indies
A polished pearl imported from the Indies
Which phrase best describes the subject’s pose in the painting?
Turned around to face the spectator
Turned around to face the spectator
Laughing openly
Laughing openly
Looking down at her hands
Looking down at her hands
Walking away from the artist
Walking away from the artist
To which artistic period does the work of Johannes Vermeer belong?
16th Century
16th Century
18th Century
18th Century
15th Century
15th Century
17th Century
17th Century
Vermeer added what subtle detail to the subject’s face to create the effect of light catching her mouth?
A prominent scar on her cheek
A prominent scar on her cheek
A flower tucked behind her ear
A flower tucked behind her ear
An intricate lace collar
An intricate lace collar
A light touch of moisture on her lips
A light touch of moisture on her lips
In which Dutch city did Johannes Vermeer live and work for his entire life?
Leiden
Leiden
Delft
Delft
Utrecht
Utrecht
Haarlem
Haarlem
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