Chevalier, Tracy: *1962

Girl with a Pearl Earring, 1999 - Thematic Parallels: Artistic Creation

Chevalier, Tracy: Girl with a Pearl Earring, 1999
The novel a historical fiction work inspired by the famous painting of the same name by Johannes Vermeer. The main topic of the novel is the imagined story behind the creation of the painting and the relationship between Vermeer and a fictional maid, Griet, who becomes the model for the painting.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read "Girl with a Pearl Earring," the following texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Chevalier, Tracy: The Virgin Blue, 1997, ~300pp
  This novel is a contemplative exploration of heritage and identity, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of familial and historical connections.
  Both are historical novels featuring strong female protagonists navigating patriarchal societies, and both use art and color symbolically. While "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is set entirely in 17th-century Delft, "The Virgin Blue" alternates between modern-day France and the 16th century. Despite this, both use the historical setting to highlight recurring issues of gender roles, faith, and repression.
- Vreeland, Susan: The Passion of Artemisia, 2002, ~330pp
  The novel is a fictionalized but historically rooted portrayal of art, gender, justice, and the enduring power of self-expression.
  Both women navigate male-dominated spaces where their roles and voices are restricted. Artemisia fights for her place as an artist; Griet finds her voice through art indirectly, by becoming part of Vermeer's creative process. Yet in both novels, art is more than a profession or aesthetic — it becomes a mode of survival, self-expression, and transformation.
- Vreeland, Susan: Girl in Hyacinth Blue, 1999, ~240pp
  The novel is about the enduring power of art—how a single painting affects the lives of various people across generations. The novel explores human connection, beauty, legacy, and moral choices through the imagined history of a painting attributed to the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer..
  Both novels are deeply rooted in the mystique and allure of Vermeer’s paintings. They use fictional narratives to explore the imagined lives behind his artwork, giving voice to the silent figures he painted. Griet’s story is a coming-of-age tale that gradually reveals her inner strength and moral conflict, especially in the face of power dynamics. Vreeland, however, presents multiple women across time—offering a kaleidoscope of female experiences influenced by love, motherhood, loss, and identity.
List of general discussion questions on Artistic Creation (pdf)
List of essay prompts on Artistic Creation (pdf)