The Girl With The Pearl Earring (1665) cross stitch pattern

The Girl with the Pearl Earring is a painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, created in 1665. It is considered one of his most famous works and has been the subject of numerous adaptations and reproductions, including as a free cross stitch pattern. The painting depicts a young woman with a turban-like head covering and a large pearl earring. While the identity of the woman is unknown, the painting is a striking example of the portrayal of women in 17th-century Dutch art.

During the 17th century, the Netherlands was experiencing a Golden Age, with a thriving art scene that produced some of the world's most famous paintings. Women were often depicted in these paintings, but their portrayal varied depending on the artist and the subject matter. In many paintings, women were depicted as passive and submissive, often used as props to emphasize the wealth or power of the male subjects. However, in some paintings, women were given more agency and were shown as independent and intelligent individuals.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring is one of the latter examples. The young woman in the painting is shown with a direct gaze, her lips slightly parted as if she is about to speak. She is not shown as an object of desire or as a passive observer but as a person with her own thoughts and feelings. Her clothing is also noteworthy, as it is not the elaborate and restrictive garments typically worn by women of the time. Instead, she is dressed in a simple, almost modern-looking garment, which further emphasizes her independence and individuality.

While the painting is undoubtedly beautiful, its true importance lies in its representation of women. The Girl with the Pearl Earring challenges the traditional portrayal of women in art by presenting a woman as an individual rather than as an object. The painting's use of light and shadow, along with the direct gaze of the subject, creates a sense of intimacy and connection that is rare in 17th-century art.

The painting's popularity has only grown over the years, and it has become a widely recognized icon of Dutch art. In addition to the numerous reproductions and adaptations, it has been the subject of numerous books, films, and even a stage play. The painting has also been the subject of much speculation, with numerous theories regarding the identity of the woman in the painting. While her identity remains a mystery, her presence in the painting has had a lasting impact on the representation of women in art.

The Girl with the Pearl Earring has also been adapted into a free cross stitch pattern, which has proven popular among cross-stitch enthusiasts. The pattern features the young woman's face and the distinctive pearl earring, and it is a testament to the painting's enduring popularity and influence. The pattern's popularity also speaks to the enduring appeal of Vermeer's work, which continues to captivate and inspire artists and enthusiasts alike.

The representation of women in art has evolved significantly over the centuries, and the 17th century was a particularly interesting time in this regard. Women were often depicted in paintings, but their portrayal was highly dependent on the artist and the subject matter. In many paintings, women were shown as passive and submissive, existing only to serve the male subjects. However, there were exceptions to this, and The Girl with the Pearl Earring is a prime example.

Other paintings from the 17th century also challenged traditional gender roles and the portrayal of women in art. For example, Rembrandt's Bathsheba at Her Bath (1654) shows Bathsheba as a powerful and self-assured figure, rather than a passive victim of King David's advances. Similarly, Frans Hals' Malle Babbe (1633-35) shows a woman who is neither beautiful nor traditionally feminine but who exudes confidence and strength.

This pattern was designed using the following materials:

Fabric: Aida 14, dmc 310 black 98w X 154h Stitches Size: 14 Count, 17.78w X 27.94h cm Floss Used for Full Stitches: Type Number Color DMC 152 Shell Pink-MD LT DMC 154 Grape-VY DK DMC 159 Gray Blue-LT DMC 160 Gray Blue-MD DMC 161 Gray Blue DMC 223 Shell Pink-LT DMC 224 Shell Pink-VY LT DMC 310 Black DMC 336 Navy Blue DMC 341 Blue Violet-LT DMC 413 Pewter Gray-DK DMC 414 Steel Gray-DK DMC 640 Beige Gray-VY DK DMC 647 Beaver Gray-MD DMC 758 Terra Cotta-VY LT DMC 760 Salmon DMC 779 Cocoa-DK DMC 793 Cornflower Blue-MD DMC 794 Cornflower Blue-LT DMC 815 Garnet-MD DMC 819 Baby Pink-LT DMC 823 Navy Blue-DK DMC 825 Blue-DK DMC 838 Beige Brown-VY DK DMC 839 Beige Brown-DK DMC 842 Beige Brown-VY LT DMC 902 Garnet-VY DK DMC 930 Antique Blue-DK DMC 938 Coffee Brown-UL DK DMC 939 Navy Blue-VY DK DMC 945 Tawny DMC 950 Desert Sand-LT DMC 3328 Salmon-DK DMC 3371 Black Brown DMC 3713 Salmon-VY LT DMC 3740 Antique Violet-DK DMC 3772 Desert Sand-VY DK DMC 3773 Desert Sand-MD DMC 3777 Terra Cotta-VY DK DMC 3779 Terra Cotta-UL VY LT DMC 3787 Brown Gray-DK DMC 3799 Pewter Gray-VY DK DMC 3828 Hazelnut Brown DMC 3831 Raspberry-DK DMC 3858 Rosewood-MD DMC 3859 Rosewood-LT DMC 3860 Cocoa DMC 3861 Cocoa-LT DMC 3862 Mocha Beige-DK DMC 3864 Mocha Beige-LT