Girls with Pearls by Caroline Sikkenk

Girls with Pearls is an homage to the work of Johannes Vermeer, but with a modern twist. Like Vermeer, photographer Caroline Sikkenk uses light, colours, and composition to create a sense of wonder, and through her own contemporary interpretation, a message of diversity and unity is conveyed. Explore the world of Vermeer in text and images!

Ever since her studies at the Photo Academy in Amsterdam, Caroline Sikkenk has been captivated by the Dutch Masters and their extraordinary attention to light and detail. This fascination led to a series of photographs inspired by Vermeer's works. The photos were taken in Delft at historical locations connected to Vermeer. The models are people Caroline happened to encounter, for example, on the street, at the hairdresser's, or at a concert. Moreover, Vermeer's painting Girl with a Pearl Earring has become such an iconic image that it no longer matters whether the model is a girl or a boy, young or old, or what the colour of their skin or hair is. The clothing is contemporary fashion, and each garment is unique, as is the pearl worn by the model. Each model is thus a unique pearl in their own right!

The photographs from this project have been exhibited at the Vermeer Centre in Delft (some of which are now part of the permanent collection of the Vermeer Centre), the Mauritshuis in The Hague, and in New York at the MvVO Art show. From February 6 to April 1, 2023, the exhibition 'Pearls of Light' can be seen in the Oude Kerk in Delft.

Watch the photos in a video on YouTube