When Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum opens its largest Johannes Vermeer exhibition next month, the Mauritshuis in The Hague will be without Girl with a Pearl Earring, the pride of its collection, for eight weeks.

But the wall on which the famous masterpiece usually hangs will not remain empty: the museum has asked the townspeople for new and creative versions of the famous oil painting, which will be exhibited in your absence.

As of April 2021, the museum maintains an @mygirlwithapearlInstagram account inspired by the paintings that young aspiring artists have submitted over the years without even asking the museum staff.

The large exhibition of Vermeer’s work is another opportunity for a more creative approach to the Dutch Golden Age masterpiece, which usually does not travel outside the museum.

The new campaign is open to everyone and accepts all forms of art – paintings, pottery, embroidery and collage. Even non-traditional ingredients are allowed, such as pizza with a painting pattern.

“The girl with the pearl earring will be sorely missed,” said Paul Swilling, Nationale-Nederlanden cultural cooperation adviser. “But at the same time, we see so many people inspired by this world famous painting. That’s why Mauritshuis and the Nationale-Nederlanden are inviting creative talent to submit their beautiful versions. So we provide them with a platform in this special place.”

Mauritshuis intends to create a digitally framed rotating exhibition of the best works in place of the original painting. Other versions will be hung in real frames throughout the room.

The museum will give two free tickets to outstanding artists.

Mauritshuis has already shared a number of variations he has received over the years.

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Source Artnet