A great deal has happened since last October when I was in Delft. I have tried to find an agent or publisher for FAITH, but so far, no takers. Still, I remain hopeful and will stay at it.

I started writing the sequel to FAITH called FIRE which will follow Vermeer's life from the winter of 1653 (where FAITH ends) through his marriage, admission to the Guild of Saint Luke, his earliest known paintings and finally the horrible death of his mentor, Carel Fabritius in October, 1654. It should be a good book. However, I decided to take a little break from the Dutch winter and so have written another book instead: 100 First Pages. It is not available to the public yet, but you can find out more about it at: http://www.100firstpages.com/ . I think it is a very interesting book, quite unique and has something to offer all readers. Check it out.

FAITH is available at Lulu.com (Search: Books - Vermeer)

I have a rented room in an old house on the Koornmarkt Canal in Delft. As I sit here, I can see over my left shoulder the soot-stained tower of the 'New Church' where Joannes Vermeer was baptized in October, 1632. Between that time and when he married Catharina Bolnes in April, 1653, here is everything known directly about him:

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That is correct: Nothing! We know, indirectly, that he was born in the Flying Fox Inn on Voldersgracht street and moved to another tavern/inn, the Mechelen, further up when he was around nine years old. His father, Reynier, was not only an innkeeper, he was a cloth designer and art dealer. His mother, Digna, maintained the busy tavern and he had an older sister named Gertruy. Other than that, not one thing is known about those years between his baptism and marriage.
Of course, Vermeer went on to become a famous artist in Delft. In order to do that, he had to be a member of The Guild of Saint Luke, which required a lengthy apprenticeship (four to six years) with a Master Painter. Who was Vermeer's teacher? Where did he study? Just in Delft? Amsterdam? Utrecht? There are theories, but nothing is known.
It is said that his earliest paintings display an Italian palette and style. Did Vermeer travel to Italy? With whom? How long was he there? -- Unknown. How did he develop his style? His Technique? His artistic philosophy? -- Unknown.
He was the Protestant son of a middle-class innkeeper. How did he meet and then marry Catharina Bolnes, a Catholic girl, whose mother, Maria Thins, came from a wealthy Catholic family with strong ties to the Jesuits? We know Maria Thins opposed the marriage, but later signed her approval at the urging of some close friends, one of whom was Leonaert Bramer, a famous Delft artist. Had Vermeer converted to Catholicism? Did he create a 'special' painting for the Jesuits? Their 'hidden church' was nextdoor to Maria's house.
Once Joannes and Catharina where married, where did they live? In the inn? Catharina started to have children right away (fifteen in total). Would Maria Thins tolerate her grandchildren being brought up in a taven run by Calvinists? One would hardly think so.
Did they live in her large house just across the town square? It is known that they were living there in 1660, but what about before that? Did they rent some little house in Delft for the first few years? If they did, how could Vermeer afford it? Remember, he was only twenty when he got married, very young for a man of his times. He was probably still an apprentice. Vermeer did not join the Guild until December of 1663, so was not allowed to sell any paintings until after that time. Did he even have any paintings to sell? Technically, everything he produced as an apprentice belonged to his teacher or teachers. How could he support his new family?
There is no question that Vermeer's life...all of it, not just the early days...is a mystery and that is why I am here in Delft now. There are many more questions about his later life and work and I will deal with them at some future date. For now, I am interested in those mentioned above, but the fact is, Vermeer was here and these things did happen. For every question, there is a true answer.
As I look out my window I can see the Koornmarkt canal and the narrow street that runs along it. Vermeer actually walked down this street. Perhaps he was even in this very building which existed in his time! Delft is a very small town. One can walk end-to-end in twenty minutes.
I have studied all the basic theories that attempt to answer all these questions, but I am looking for a deeper insight in order to construct a reasonable and accurate narrative of this part of his life.
Later this morning, I will go back to the Town Square and stand, once again, where the Mechelen used to be. I will look up and see sky where he set up his first studio and I will imagine him looking out a back window on the second floor of that space taking in a view he had seen a thousand times: a quiet Little Street.

DPH Eaton

Delft, Holland
October, 2006