Vermeer considered this painting as his self-portrait (though the painter in it is not himself).Let's take a close look at the two figures in the painting, the young woman and the painter. Judging by the book (possibly Thucydides) and trumpet she's holding and the laurel wreath she's wearing, there is a very good chance that she is the muse of history, Clio. Which makes her a goddess. It's acturally not hard to tell from her body language. The painter on the other hand is unrecognised which is just like Vermeer himself. Superficially, the perspective tells us the focal point is towards the young woman, but the using of darker tone on the painter's cloth acturally emphasised him.
As a painter, Vermeer worked slowly and with great care, therefore, he's 'relatively unproductive'. This reminds me the life story of Van Gogh (who lives after Vermeer's time) who died in early ages and not appreciated untill after his death. Vermeer was a young talented painter when he produced this painting. Combining the life story of Vermeer and this portrait, it inspired me of a narrative: A young talented painter seeking for recognition and appreciation by the public.
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