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The camera obscura, owned by van Leeuwenhoek and frequently borrowed by Vermeer, represents scientific advancement and the changes of an increasingly sophisticated society. Although the technology it uses is ancient, potentially dating back further than 500 B.C.E., in the book it represents an increasing fascination with science—specifically optics—just before the dawn of the European Enlightenment. The object Griet describes projects an image of the outside world by allowing light to pass through a lens into a darkened space. Because it provides a means to see things in a new light, the camera relates to the book’s themes about the power of art to change the world (and to reflect the world’s changes), and it also relates to the way perspective limits insight.
Camera Obscura Quotes in Girl with a Pearl Earring
The Girl with a Pearl Earring quotes below all refer to the symbol of Camera Obscura. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 1: 1664
Quotes
“But why do you look at it, sir, when you can look at your own painting?”
“You do not understand. […] This is a tool. I use it to help me see, so that I am able to make the painting.”
“But—you use your eyes to see.”
“True, but my eyes do not always see everything […] Tell me, Griet,” he continued, “do you think I simply paint what is there in that corner? […] The camera obscura helps me to see in a different way,” he explained. “To see more of what is there.”
When he saw the baffled expression on my face he must have regretted saying so much to someone like me. He turned and snapped the box shut. […]
“Sir—”
“Thank you, Griet,” he said as he took it from me. “Have you finished with the cleaning here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You may go, then.”
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Chapter 3: 1666
Quotes
“You watch out for yourself, my dear.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“You must know that he’s painting you to satisfy van Ruijven. Van Ruijven’s interest in you has made your master protective of you.”
I nodded, secretly pleased to hear what I had suspected.
“Do not get caught in their battle. You could be hurt.”
[…] “I do not think he would ever hurt me, sir.”
“Tell me, my dear, how much do you know of men?”
[…] I did not answer.
“He is an exceptional man,” van Leeuwenhoek continued. “His eyes are worth a roomful of gold. But sometimes he sees the world only as he wants it to be, not as it is. He does not understand the consequences for others of his point of view. He thinks only of himself and his work, not of you.”
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Camera Obscura Symbol Timeline in Girl with a Pearl Earring
The timeline below shows where the symbol Camera Obscura appears in Girl with a Pearl Earring. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1: 1664
...a friend of Vermeer’s visits, because she once broke his “box” (soon identified as a camera obscura ). Vermeer forbids her from entering the studio because of her clumsiness.
(full context)
...studio. Vermeer quietly enters the room as she studies it. He tells her it’s a camera obscura and offers her the opportunity to look into it. He crosses the room, adjusts the...
(full context)
...Griet closes her eyes. When she opens them, she sees Vermeer’s familiar painting inside the camera obscura —almost, but not exactly. The woman is missing, and the details are switched around. Vermeer...
(full context)
...fascinated by it as the painting. When Vermeer reenters the room, he explains that the camera obscura helps him to see the scene afresh. He wants Griet to agree with him, and...
(full context)
...the neighborhood the previous morning. Just before he leaves, she asks if looking into the camera obscura inspired him to remove the map from his painting. His reaction betrays interest and pleasure...
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Chapter 2: 1665
Vermeer borrows van Leeuwenhoek’s camera obscura to look at the tableau in reverse, then finishes the painting of the baker’s daughter....
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A few days later, van Leeuwenhoek brings his camera obscura back. Once again, Griet is grinding colors in the attic, and Vermeer calls her down...
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Griet looks through the camera obscura frequently during the next few days. Eventually, she starts to feel that the scene is...
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Chapter 3: 1666
...Van Leeuwenhoek knows, and when he again stops by the studio to lend Vermeer his camera obscura , he tries to warn Griet about the precarity of her situation. Van Ruijven’s interests...
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