'Girl with a Pearl Earring' in Japan, perhaps for the last time

"Girl with a Pearl Earring," the iconic 17th-century painting by Johannes Vermeer, is set to appear in Osaka this week, marking what may be its final international appearance. The artwork will be exhibited at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art starting Friday, coinciding with the closure of its home museum, the Mauritshuis in The Hague, for maintenance work until September 20. This rare overseas showing comes amid speculation that the painting might not travel again outside the Netherlands in the future. The exhibition in Osaka runs through September 27 and includes a selection of twelve paintings from the Mauritshuis collection. Among these are Vermeer’s "Diana and her Nymphs" and a piece by Rembrandt titled "The Laughing Man." The display aims to highlight the breadth of the museum’s holdings while offering Japanese audiences a chance to view one of the most celebrated works of art in history. Martine Gosselink, director of the Mauritshuis, stated that the decision to send "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to Japan was driven by the enthusiasm of Japanese visitors. She noted that Japan consistently sends a high volume of tourists to the museum, many of whom are devoted followers of Vermeer’s work. “If one country deserves the girl, it should be Japan,” Gosselink said, emphasizing the cultural significance of the exhibition for both nations. The painting, often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of the North" due to the enigmatic expression of its subject, gained worldwide recognition following the publication of a bestselling novel inspired by it, later adapted into a Hollywood film. The small canvas depicts a young woman against a dark backdrop, her face partially turned toward the viewer, with a gleaming pearl earring visible under her blue and cream turban. This will be the fourth time the painting has been shown in Japan. Its initial visit occurred in 1984 in Tokyo, followed by another in Osaka to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands diplomatic ties. That exhibition attracted over 600,000 visitors. In 2012, the painting made another stop in Tokyo and Kobe, drawing more than 1.2 million attendees, according to the Asahi Shimbun, which organized the current exhibition. Prior to its recent appearances in Japan, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" embarked on a global tour from 2012 to 2014. It had previously been loaned to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in 2023 for a less extensive exhibition. However, the current trip to Osaka represents a shift in focus, with the painting likely making fewer international journeys moving forward. The Mauritshuis will remain closed from August 24 to September 20 for necessary maintenance, during which time the painting will be absent from its usual home. Once the restoration period concludes, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is expected to return to the Mauritshuis and be on display again from early October. Japanese art enthusiasts and cultural institutions have expressed anticipation for the exhibition, recognizing the historical and artistic value of the painting. The event underscores the enduring appeal of Vermeer’s work and the deep appreciation for European masterpieces among Japanese audiences. The exhibition in Osaka promises to draw large crowds, continuing a legacy of successful visits that have brought international attention to both the painting and the cultural exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands. With the painting poised to return to the Netherlands soon, this visit may indeed be its last opportunity to be viewed abroad.