Thousands of Artists Reimagine ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ in Global Art Project

When the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague loaned out its most iconic artwork, Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” to Amsterdam’s 2023 Vermeer exhibition, it found itself with an empty space where the masterpiece once hung. Rather than leave a void, the museum turned to the global art community—and the response was overwhelming.

A Worldwide Artistic Collaboration

More than 2,700 artists from around the world, ranging in age from 7 to 70, submitted their own interpretations of the 17th-century masterpiece. The creativity of these submissions knew no bounds, incorporating materials as diverse as orange peels, bottle caps, and sweatshirts.

A curated selection of 60 artworks was displayed at the Mauritshuis in the exact spot where Vermeer’s original painting usually resides. Among the standout pieces was a surrealist interpretation by Rob de Heer, blending the original girl with the face of a Wayang puppet, a nod to the Netherlands’ colonial past in Indonesia.

Other unique submissions included:

• South Korean artist Nanan Kang, who used an ear of corn as the girl’s face.
• Georgian artist Nino Kavazauri, who depicted a modern girl waiting at a bus stop with a cup of coffee.
• Simon Chong, a Welsh animator from the TV series Bob’s Burgers, who reimagined the girl in cartoon style.

A Growing Legacy

The overwhelming success of the first competition led to a second round of submissions, which are now on display at the Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, the Mauritshuis museum continues to share selected works on its Instagram page, ensuring that this creative reinterpretation of Vermeer’s masterpiece lives on.

Why This Project Matters

This initiative highlights not only the enduring allure of Vermeer’s mystery girl but also the power of community-driven art. By inviting global participation, the Mauritshuis museum has transformed a historical masterpiece into a living, evolving cultural phenomenon.

Plan Your Visit

• Current Exhibition: Fabrique des Lumières, Amsterdam
• Museum Instagram: Ongoing feature of submissions