Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) is one of the most admired and influential European painters. His limited output, as well as his extremely private life and his supposed use of a camera obscura, have until recently made him appear to be an isolated genius shrouded in mystery. Walter Liedtke's superb monograph, now available at a new affordable price, reveals Vermeer's life to be well-documented and places his work in context. Vermeer's many admirers will...