Artist and Period

The painting is attributed to Johannes Vermeer, a prominent artist of the Dutch Golden Age. It is one of his smaller works, measuring 23.2 cm × 18.1 cm (9.1 in × 7.1 in).

Medium and Support

Unlike most of Vermeer's works, which are painted on canvas, 'Girl with a Red Hat' is painted on a wooden panel. This is one of only two Vermeer paintings known to be on panel, the other being 'Girl with a Flute'.

Subject and Composition

The painting depicts a young woman dressed in a deep blue robe, wearing a distinctive red hat and pearl earrings. Her hair is up, and she has a slightly parted mouth and an engaging gaze directed at the viewer. The composition includes a chair with carved wooden lions' heads on the backrest and a tapestry in the background.

Style and Technique

The painting showcases Vermeer's innovative use of light and color. The red hat, for example, is painted in two layers: a lower layer of vermilion mixed with black pigment and an upper layer of madder lake glaze. The face is illuminated from the right, which is unusual in Vermeer's works. The brushwork is bold and abstract, with clear contrasts of light and dark, and the use of green and pink tones to create a vibrant effect.

Authorship and Provenance

The attribution of the painting to Vermeer has been a subject of debate, but recent studies and expert opinions have confirmed his authorship. The painting was executed on a reused panel, originally depicting a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, as revealed by infrared reflectography and X-ray radiography.

Historical Context

The painting is believed to have been owned by Vermeer's patron, Pieter Claesz van Ruijven, and later passed through several owners before being purchased by Andrew W. Mellon in 1925. It was eventually gifted to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in 1937.

Significance

'Girl with a Red Hat' is considered a pivotal work in Vermeer's career, marking an experimental phase where he explored bolder brushwork and higher contrasts of light and color. This style would influence his later works, such as 'The Geographer' and 'The Astronomer.'