Girl With a Pearl Earring Masterpiece Video Quiz

Watch James Earle’s TED-Ed Video, and take part in Girl with a Pearl Earring Masterpiece video quiz. You will understand why this painting is considered a masterpiece.

Girl with a Pearl Earring has captivated so many people throughout history, drawing unprecedented crowds to The Mauritshuis, in The Netherlands. It became iconic for the distinct position of the girl, her enigmatic gaze, the colors and the delicate quality of the light.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: You need to answer all the questions to be able to submit your answers, and you’ll get immediate feedback on your mistakes without having to provide any email!

Why is Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring a masterpiece?

Vermeer’s "Girl with the Pearl Earring," is often referred to as the ‘Mona Lisa of the North.’ But what makes this painting so captivating? 

1.What is a tronie?

An English style of portrait A portrait set on a black background An overly expressive painting A portrait with movement

2.How does the "Girl with the Pearl Earring" differ from much of Vermeer’s other work?

He painted mostly scenes of every day life, not portraits He painted mostly men, not women He painted mostly scenes of nature, not people He painted mostly fruit bowls, not portraits

3.What answer best describes Vermeer’s typical composition?

Busy and cluttered Harmonious and balanced Confusing and off-putting Intimidating and isolating

4.What does chiaroscuro refer to?

The way characters are arranged on a canvas The way an artist invites the reader into a painting The way objects far away appear smaller The way an artist uses light and shadow

5.What economic innovation helped replace traditional patrons in Vermeer’s home town?

Socialism Nobility and the Church The Dutch East India Company Industialization

6. The turban of the girl

emphasizes the worldliness of the merchant class emphasizes the merchant class interest in religion just wants to hide the hair of the girl emphasizes the worldliness of the royal class

7. Where can you see Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring?

In the Louvre, Paris In El Prado, Madrid In the Mauritshuis, The Hague In the MOMA, New York

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Learn more about art in The Magic Fun Art Quiz, El Prado Museum Enchanted Paintings Come to Life, or Iconic Banksy: Love him or Hate him!