Vermeer's Paintings Remained Hidden Due to Exclusive Patronage by Van Ruijven Family
A new biography by UK art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon reveals that Johannes Vermeer, the renowned Dutch Old Master, painted almost exclusively for the Van Ruijven family during his career. This unique patronage arrangement began around 1657 and lasted for approximately 13 years, after which Vermeer largely ceased painting. The Van Ruijven family, particularly Maria de Knuijt and Pieter Claesz van Ruijven, commissioned most of Vermeer's works, which were later inherited by their daughter, Magdalena Pieters van Ruijven. Upon her death in 1682, a notary discovered a significant collection of Vermeer's paintings in her possession. This collection, housed in the Golden ABC in Delft, was unique for its focus on a single artist and remained intact within the family until it was eventually dispersed after Jacob Dissius, Magdalena's husband, passed away in 1695. 
