1632       Johannes Vermeer is born in Delft, Netherlands circa October 31st to Reynier                  Jansz and Digna Baltens

 

1653       Vermeer marries Catharina Bolnes

           Vermeer is registered as a member of the Delft Guild of Saint Luke as a master                painter

 

1655       Vermeer completes his first signed and dated work, Saint Praxedis

 

1656       Vermeer signs and dates The Procuress

 

1657       Vermeer borrows 200 guilders from wealthy citizen Pieter Claesz                              van Ruijven

 

1658-1660  Vermeer paints The Milkmaid

 

1662       Vermeer is appointed a headman of the Delft Guild of Saint Luke

 

1665-1666  Vermeer paints his masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring

 

1668       Vermeer signs and dates The Astronomer

 

1669       Vermeer paints The Geographer

 

1670       Vermeer is reelected as a headman of the Delft Guild of Saint                                Luke

 

1672       Vermeer is called to examine a collection of twelve Italian                                  paintings at The Hague

 

1673       Vermeer sells two bonds worth 800 guilders, to the daughter of Pieter Claesz van              Ruijven, whom he had borrowed money from years earlier

 

1675       Vermeer borrows 1,000 guilders in Amsterdam

           Vermeer dies and is buried at age 43 in the Old Church in Delft, circa December              16th