Jan Vermeer was a Dutch painter born in 1632 in Delft, Netherlands. He is best known for his masterful use of light and color, which brought a unique realism to his works. Vermeer often focused on domestic interior scenes, capturing everyday life with remarkable detail. Some of his most famous paintings include Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid. Vermeer was part of the Dutch Golden Age, a period known for its flourishing art and culture. Despite creating only about 36 paintings during his lifetime, his work has had a lasting impact on the art world. He passed away in 1675, but his paintings continue to be celebrated and studied today.