Delft, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Jan Vermeer
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 11, 2023
1. Jan Vermeer Marker
heeft het huis “Mechelen”
gestaan waar october 1632
werd geboren
Jan Vermeer
de schilder
Near this location stood the “Mechelen” house where in October 1632 the painter Jan Vermeer was born.
Erected 1955 by Delft binnen de veste.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1632.
Location. 52° 0.729′ N, 4° 21.571′ E. Marker is in Delft, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is at the intersection of Oude Manhuissteeg and Markt, on the left when traveling north on Oude Manhuissteeg. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Markt 52, Delft, Zuid-Holland 2611 GH, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nieuwe Kerk / New Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Johannes Vermeer (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Stadhuis / Town Hall (about 90 meters away); Het Leven van Johannes Vermeer / Johannes Vermeer’s Life
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Johannes Vermeer (Britannica).
Overview: Johannes Vermeer, Johannes also rendered Jan, (baptized October 31, 1632, Delft, Netherlands—buried December 16, 1675, Delft), Dutch artist who created paintings that are among the most beloved and revered images in the history of art. Although only about 36 of his paintings survive, these rare works are among the greatest treasures in the world’s finest museums. Vermeer began his career in the early 1650s by painting large-scale biblical and mythological scenes, but most of his later paintings—the ones for which he is most famous—depict scenes of daily life in interior settings. These works are remarkable for their purity of light and form, qualities that convey a serene, timeless sense of dignity. Vermeer also painted cityscapes and allegorical scenes.(Submitted on April 3, 2023.)
2. Vermeer's Delft Today: Mechelen (Essential Vermeer)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 11, 2023
2. Jan Vermeer Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here just to the right of the blue shutter on “The House of Vermeer” (which to be clear, is not actually the house of Vermeer, as that building is no longer extant).
On the marker and its inaccuracies: In 1955 a memorial tablet… was placed on the wall of the adjoining house at number 52 Market Place, to mark the spot where Mechelen House once stood. The Delft sculptor Joh. Bijsterveld made the memorial tablet, which bears the following inscription: "Here stood Mechelen House where the artist Jan Vermeer was born in 1632." This plaque contains not one but two mistakes. First, Vermeer was not born in Mechelen, as his parents moved there when he was already nine years old. Vermeer specialists believe the artist was most likely born in an inn called The Flying Fox on the Voldersgracht number 25, a stone's-throw away. And second, Vermeer never used the name Jan himself, He was baptized Joannis and always signed deeds with Joannes, Joannis or Johannis. Criticism was heard on all sides in 1955, but the foundation Delft binnen de veste (Delft within the ramparts) which devised the inscription, decided that the Christian name Jan had become more familiar.(Submitted on April 3, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
