Restoration of Vermeer's 'Girl Reading a Letter' Reveals Cupido, Sparking Controversy

The restoration of Johannes Vermeer's 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' (c. 1657-59) at the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden has uncovered a large Cupido on the back wall, dramatically altering the composition. The museum has dubbed it a 'new' Vermeer, but the change has been met with criticism on social media, with some calling it a 'flop.' The Cupido was known from X-rays in 1979 and infrared reflectography in 2009, but it was believed Vermeer himself had painted it over. However, in May 2017, conservators discovered the overpaint was a 19th-century addition, with different solubility properties and applied over a layer of dust. The overpaint was removed over two years using a scalpel under a microscope. The painting is now the centerpiece of the exhibition 'Johannes Vermeer: On Reflection' at the Gemäldegalerie, running until January 2, 2022, which includes ten Vermeer paintings. Museum director Stephan Koja said the Cupido reveals the artist's true intention, making it a key image about the nature of true love. Conservator Uta Neidhardt called it the most sensational experience of her career. Despite the scholarly significance, public reaction on Twitter has been largely negative, with users claiming the Cupido ruins the composition and that the original overpainter had the right idea.