Vermeer's 'Girl with a Flute' Reattributed to Studio Assistant

A scientific analysis by researchers at the National Gallery of Art in Washington has determined that 'Girl with a Flute' (c. 1669–1675), long attributed to Johannes Vermeer, was actually painted by a student, assistant, or family member. The discovery emerged from microscopic examinations and pigment comparisons with Vermeer's 'Girl with the Red Hat'. Unlike Vermeer's refined technique, 'Girl with a Flute' shows coarse brushwork and granular pigment application. The finding challenges the long-held view of Vermeer as a solitary genius, suggesting he may have run a workshop. The research was conducted during the museum's COVID-19 closures (2020–2021) and is presented in the exhibition 'Vermeer's Secrets', curated by Marjorie E. Wieseman and Alexandra Libby. The show also includes 'Woman Weighing Pearls' (c. 1664), 'Woman Writing a Letter' (c. 1665), and two 20th-century forgeries. National Gallery director Kaywin Feldman called the discovery 'one of the most significant new findings about the artist in decades'.