Girl with a Pearl Earring , The Dutch Baroque Period: 1665

In ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer, the subject is a young woman wearing a turban and a large pearl earring. The girl gazes directly at the viewer with mystery and allure. This artwork reflects the beauty standards of this time period by depicting a girl with fair skin, rosy cheeks, smooth complexion and soft and delicate features. During this time fair skin was associated with wealth and nobility therefore it was highly prized. Having rosy cheeks was a sign of good health and vitality and a smooth complexion was considered to be attractive and desirable. Women were depicted with soft and delicate features to symbolise their femininity.

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