The Art of Painting

Luke, but if the painting was intended as programmatic gift to the guild as an allegorical depiction of the arts and trades represented in that organisation, it was never presented to its intended owners: The Art of Painting is mentioned in the inventory of Vermeer’s estate. It is highly likely that he used the painting to demonstrate his mastery of this art. The drawn-back curtain opens a view of a room that is bathed in light from a window on the left (not visible in the picture). On the back wall is a detailed map of the Netherlands.