Gallery holds rare exhibition of master's work

THE Capital is to hold the country's first exhibition by one of the world's greatest painters.

The Dutch master Johannes Vermeer, who lived from 1632 to 1675 and is famous for his scenes of domestic interiors and masterpieces such as Girl With A Pearl Earring, left a legacy of only around 30 paintings and exhibitions of his work are rare.

In September, however, the one Vermeer painting owned by the National Galleries of Scotland – Christ In The House of Martha And Mary – will be joined by a collection of works from the Netherlands and Germany.

The exhibition in Edinburgh will focus on Vermeer's early work, with the religious-themed Scottish Vermeer hung alongside Diana And Her Companions, from the Mauritshuis in The Hague, and The Procuress from the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen gallery in Dresden.

The works will be on display at the National Gallery building on The Mound.

The Young Vermeer exhibition will run from 10 December until March 2011.