Vermeer's Delft
Descripción
Delft is an authentic little town, one hour's drive from Amsterdam, internationally and historically known for three things: Johannes Vermeer, one of the Dutch Golden Age's most cherished painters; Delftware, the 17th-Century's surrogate china, which is still produced in Delft; and the once princely, now royal family of Orange, who have there mausoleum in the New Church in Delft.
Art historian Michel Didier offers three dinstinct tours of Delft:
1. General historical tour, with picturesque little streets, town hall, historical museum, and places connected to the three mainstays of Delft: Vermeer, Delftware, and the royal family of Orange;
2. Vermeer tour, including Vermeer centre with lifesize reproductions of all his paintings, Vermeer's birthhouse, the church where he lies buried, and the scenes of his only two town views. A Vermeer combination ticket, including Vermeer Centrum, Museum Prinsenhof, Old and New Church and the Vermeer cube walk, costs 22 euros. The ticket includes coffee or tea with a Dutch sweet;
3. Delft Blue tour, including a visit to the only surviving 17th century pottery, which is also a museum of Delftware, the Market with lots of commercial producers, demonstrations, and souvenirs, and several spots with Delft Blue lamp posts, benches, et al. Interspersed with Vermeer and picturesque Delft.