The Value of Art

The value of art becomes a significant theme once Griet begins working alongside Vermeer, grinding the bone for his paint. While the Vermeer family would have been outraged with the close quarters Griet was keeping with Vermeer, Maria Thins believes that Griet's sensuality and the connection she has with Vermeer might help him to paint faster, thus creating more income for the family. Until this point, the family has been divided by those who believe the value of Vermeer's paintings comes solely from the financial value they provide for the family, and those who believe that the value of Vermeer's are comes solely from its originality in artistic form, meaning that no one else can paint the world like Vermeer. This division is first apparent in the opening scene of the novel, when Griet separates the vegetables for stew by color. No one sees the...