If you are a fan of ancient paintings, you are familiar with the 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer. Franciscus Vermeer was one of the 15 children of Johannes Vermeer and his wife, Catharina Bolnes. Franciscus’ father specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life and was based in Delft. His most notable work of art is the Girl with a Pearl Earring, displayed in the Mauritshuis in The Hague.
Although he wasn’t recognized during his time, Vermeer’s work was rediscovered in the 19th century. Thirty-four paintings are universally attributed to him, and his reputation has grown.
Keep on reading to discover more about Franciscus and his siblings and his father’s style in art.
Franciscus Vermeer Bio
Franciscus Vermeer was the eighth child of painter Johannes Vermeer and Catharina Bolnes. He was born in 1964 and died after 1708. According to records, Franciscus was a master surgeon. He married Maria de Wee in 1690. It is not clear whether the couple had any children. Since Franciscus was not a famous figure back in his days, little information is available about his life.
Franciscus Vermeer Siblings
Franciscus hailed from a large family of fifteen children. Maria Vermeer was born in 1964 and married silk merchant Johannes Cramer. Elisabeth was born in 1657, Cornelia in 1669, and Aledis in 1661. Beatrix was born in 1661, followed by Johannes Vermeer jr. in 1663. Gertruyd was born in 1664, and then Franciscus and Catherina followed in 1665. Ignatius was born in 1672 and became a master surgeon in Charlois. An unnamed child was born in 1974, and four more died at a young age. Eleven children were recorded alive at the time of their father’s death.
Franciscus Vermeer’s Mother
Catherina Bolnes came from a wealthy family, and her mother was reluctant about her daughter’s union with Vermeer. At the time of Vermeer’s death, the family was swimming in debt and Catherina was left with 11 children and debts to pay off. She sold off some of Vermeer’s paintings to settle his debts. After Vermeer’s death, Catherina stayed in Oude Langendijck but moved to Breda in the early 1960s with her remaining eight children. There, she received an annuity from a family fund. She died in the last of 1987 in Delft during a visit to her daughter Maria.
Franciscus Vermeer’s Father
Johannes Vermeer lived between October 1632 and December 15 1675. He was a Dutch Baroque Period painter recognized in Delft and The Hague. Vermeer produced about 50 paintings, and he was not wealthy, causing him to leave his wife and children in debt when he died.
Vermeer used costly pigments on his pieces and worked slowly and with great care to achieve the masterpieces. His paintings were set in two small rooms in his house in Delft and feature the same furniture and decorations arranged differently. They also feature the same people, women in most cases.
His dated paintings include The Procuress (1656), The Astronomer (1668), and The Geographer (1669). Vermeer’s other works of art include The Allegory of Faith, The Love Letter, and the Girl with a Peral Earring.
Vermeer inspired many artists centuries later.
Wrapping Up
Fans of ancient artwork are familiar with Vermeer, acknowledged as one of the painters of the Dutch Golden Age.
