Johannes Vermeer’s iconic masterpiece “Girl with a Pearl Earring” will go on display in Japan this summer, opening August 21 at the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art. The exhibition marks the painting’s first appearance in the country in roughly 14 years.
Painted around 1665, “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is celebrated for Vermeer’s luminous use of light and his signature deep blue pigment made from lapis lazuli — often called “Vermeer blue.” The work’s global fame was further cemented by Tracy Chevalier’s novel “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and its 2003 film adaptation, “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”
© Mauritshuis, The Hague
This rare loan has been made possible by renovations at the Mauritshuis in The Hague, where the painting is permanently housed. Known for its strict policy of rarely lending artworks, the museum has indicated that this exhibition could be the final chance to see the painting in Japan.
Additional details will be announced in late February. The exhibition will be held exclusively in Osaka, with no plans to tour to other cities.
Info
Dates: August 21 – September 27, 2026 (no touring schedule)
Venue: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art
Organizers: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art, The Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Broadcasting Television
Exhibits: Paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, including “Girl with a Pearl Earring”
(Further details to be announced in late February)
