Girl with a Pearl Earring. I saw the original painting in the Mauritshuis in Den Haag. What an incredible experience. The gallery has three floors, and as you go through the rooms, you see a wide range of paintings from the Netherlands, mostly around the time of Vermeer. You see a few Vemeer paintings as well, and you spend your time slowly going from one painting to the other. Some of the paintings are quite grotesque, with very vivid colours and exaggerated features. The Vemeer landscapes are exquisite, very precise, and show a deep understanding of light. Still, a bit restrained. Then, I came into the last room and was absolutely blasted and held still by the Girl with a Pearl Earring. It's so dramatic, with the black background. Her gaze though is simply entrancing. What is she thinking? Who is she? So beautiful, but passive, almost submissive, and with something underneath, youth, determination. Just amazing. The book is good as well, and the movie is pretty good too. Still, the painting is the masterpiece, and I think is the best Vermeer, and shows all his other work in a different light.