Scientists have long doubted this, because the painting did not look good enough.
The painting hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington in the United States. During the crown pandemic, museums had to close their doors and scientists saw an opportunity to investigate the painting further.
For the investigation, several of Vermeer’s paintings were removed from the wall to study them. This provided more insight into Vermeer’s work process. This allowed the investigation team to determine that The Girl with the Flute is not a Vermeer painting.
Researchers say the use of pigments and brushes was different from how Vermeer did. But it is not clear who made the painting. He may have been a student or an apprentice of Vermeer. That person would have understood the technique, but had very limited skills in its execution.
There are around 35 known paintings around the world which are attributed to Vermeer. The Girl with the Flute was “rediscovered” in 1906 and donated to the National Gallery of Art in 1942.
