The story behind the name Vermeer

The name Johannes Vermeer is inextricably linked to 17th-century painting and tranquil interiors, masterful use of light and the inimitable intimacy of his scenes. But did you know that “Vermeer” was not the name the painter was born with, and that his family underwent a fascinating journey of naming that tells us a lot about Dutch society at the time?

The Father: Reynier Janszoon

The story begins with the painter's father, Reynier Janszoon. In the early 17th century, it was customary in the Netherlands to use a patronymic: a name derived from the father's first name. The name “Janszoon” literally means “son of Jan”. This system meant that the family name changed every generation.

However, Reynier, who worked in Delft as an innkeeper and art dealer, was also a pioneer in the transition to a fixed family name. Around the 1620s, when he settled in Delft, he began to use the surname “van der Meer”. This name, which means “from the lake”, was probably a toponym – a name derived from a place or geographical feature. It was a sign of growing prosperity and social status; adopting a fixed family name gave a sense of stability and professionalism.

The Son: Johannes Reyniersz. van der Meer

Johannes was born as the son of Reynier. His official name was therefore Johannes Reyniersz., or “Johannes, son of Reynier”. In the first decades of his life, he was probably referred to as such. On official documents and at his marriage in 1653, he was registered as 'Johannes Reyniersz.' .

As he began to make a name for himself as an artist, he started using his father's family name. He often signed his paintings “J. van der Meer”. This was a conscious choice. In a world where artists built their own reputations and traded their work, a consistent and recognisable name was of great importance. 'J. van der Meer' was a more powerful and professional signature than the inconsistent “Reyniersz.”.

The Transformation to “Vermeer”

In the course of his career, the name was simplified even further. The “van der” was often omitted, and thus the name “Vermeer” came into being. This was a natural evolution; in popular parlance and in the written texts of the time, the name was shortened for convenience and clarity.

The transition from Janszoon to Reyniersz. to Vermeer reflects an important social shift in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The growing economy and social mobility meant that people broke away from traditional naming systems. A fixed surname was not only more practical for a literate society, but also gave a sense of identity and heritage that could be passed down from generation to generation.

So, the next time you admire a Vermeer, remember that the name on the painting is the culmination of a generational transformation. From “son of Jan” to “van het Meer” to the immortal “Vermeer”, the name is a symbol of the rise of a family and a master of Dutch painting.