MovieChat Forums > Girl with a Pearl Earring (2004) Discussion > Why would Vermeer pick his wife over Gri...

Why would Vermeer pick his wife over Griet?

posted 15 years ago by MichaelJacksonsPYT
10 replies | jump to latest

She was younger and better looking.

My Love http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/Devenir83/loves.jpg

[–] FrenchHornGirl 15 years ago

Well, Catholics don't believe in divorce. Also, he had a lot to lose if he dumped Catharina for Griet...his home, his children, his patrons, his reputation.

"I could have been killed, and you're drinkin'!"

[–] MichaelJacksonsPYT 15 years ago

you are right he had a lot more to lose.

My Love http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/Devenir83/loves.jpg

[–] TwilightandShadow 15 years ago

I don't think it's that simple. What I'm going to say applies to the Vermeer Tracy Chevalier imagined in her book. I believe he was an artist first and foremost. He saw Griet in an artistic way before he saw her as a girl. A very telling moment when the man steps over the artist is IMO the one where he watched her unveil her hair. What went on between the 2 was in some ways a lot less and in other ways a lot more than what Catharina, Maria Thins and others imagined. By this I mean they were not lovers, but they shared a deeper bond through painting. Vermeer was probably glad to find a fellow "artist" in Griet who would understand his work. But he must have loved his wife and he had many children. He was supporting the whole household. Do you imagine him leaving them especially in that time?

Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] stillkisseswith_saliva 14 years ago

i agree that it wasn't just sexual like the wife thought & that before all else he saw griet as a beautiful subject. yea i'd say they were in love.. but the relationship was on another level than just wanting her. i do think he really wished he could leave his wife [& at least one of his children lol] but it was his 'duty' to take care of them & they didn't usually marry for love in those days esp if they had money. the end was so sad.. love how he sent her the earrings though!

[–] coolatina101 15 years ago

Don't forget to mention that Griet was not a biznitch like his wife.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] scannon-9 13 years ago

Well, I'm sure he was in love with his wife and loved his family. He really needed his mother-in-law as she was the one who got him work, basically. I know it's hard for a lot of people to understand this, in this day and age, but just because you have the hots for someone else doesn't mean you go and leave your family. You get over it and go on. But, today, sadly, a lot of people will destroy lives and families because someone else looks good at he moment.

[–] Rayek_ 12 years ago

It's fiction.

And FURTHERMORE, this is my signature! SERIOUSLY! Did you think I was still talking about my point?