GUSTAV YKEMA'S ARTWORK

Het Straatje

By gykema

(The Little Street)

Painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1657-1658. original oil on canvas. 21 3/8″ x 17 3/8 inches

Painting hangs in the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam the Netherlands

Owner is Pieter van Ruijven

The painting is of a contemporary street in 17th century Delft. The houses no longer exhist. The location is debated to be the Voldersgracht or the Nieuwe Langendijk 22-26. The latest update says it to be the Vlamingstraat 40 and 42. This property on the right is said to belong to Vermeer’s aunt Ariantgen Claes van der Minne. She had a business selling tripe. The passegeway beside the house was known as the Penspoort or Tripe Gate. Vermeer’s mother and sister lived on the same canal diagonally opposite from this address.

Vermeer lived from 1632-1675 and his known works amount to 36 pieces.

The question why I decided to paint this work of art.

Visiting the Rijks Museum the original made such an impression on me that I wanted to be able to experience the journey of creating such a piece, in my own way, and to have it hang on my wall to enjoy since the Rijks Museum was not just around the corner  to visit.