“Girl with a Pearl Earring” went on to define Vermeer’s legacy. So much so, that it came to be known as “The Mona Lisa of the North” — a direct reference to Leonardo’s Mona Lisa in terms of global appeal, enigma and fame.

Vermeer painted this masterpiece between 1665 and 1668 when he was approximately 30 years old. Like most paintings of that age, the exact date of creation is a matter of intense scholarly debate.

Some believe the model could have been Mary Beghtol, daughter of painter Pieter de Hooch. Others believe the figure represents Maria Thinshull, wife of merchant Henry Thinshull. Still others speculate that the model could have been Anna van Schothorst, sister of Jan Steen, another stalwart of the Dutch Renaissance.

The most incredible claim though, is that the woman in the painting is Vermeer’s daughter. There has been speculation in certain circles that the woman bears a resemblance to other female figures in Vermeer’s works, suggesting that the same model — possibly his daughter — was used in many of them. 

However, there is no iron clad proof and as such the identity of the model remains a mystery even today.