While no one knows much backgrounder on Johannes Vermeer’s greatest work of art, it continues to mesmerize art aficionados all over the world. From its discovery around 1882, “The girl with a pearl earring“, the painting has created much impact that it has inspired a writer to create a novel about it. It purports the girl to be a maiden whom Vermeer hired as an assistant and close friend that posed for him for this now renowned masterpiece. This is also the same premise that had been utilized in the making of a film and a play, both with the same title as the novel and the painting itself. Others though, believe the subject to be the Dutch artist’s eldest daughter, Maria. To others still, it would have to be one of Vermeer’s close friend’s daughter. However, no matter who the girl in the painting is, her soft gaze and overall aura surrounded by purity and innocence still captures viewers everywhere.