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Why is Vermeer's "Girl with the Pearl Earring" considered a masterpiece? - James Earle

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TEDEd Animation

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Is she turning towards you or away from you? No one can agree. She’s the subject of Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer’s "Girl with the Pearl Earring," a painting often referred to as the ‘Mona Lisa of the North.’ But what makes this painting so captivating? James Earle explains how this work represents the birth of a modern perspective on economics, politics, and love.

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

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator James Earle
  • Director Tess Martin
  • Script Editor Mia Nacamulli
  • Composer Stephen LaRosa
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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