Activities
Friday December 13
Unveiling of “We are Delft”
Delft artist René Jacobs has created his own version of “View of Delft” as a tribute to Johannes Vermeer. It consists of 110,851 small figures that together form “Wij zijn Delft" (We are Delft). The number of figures is based on the forecast population of Delft on the 350th anniversary of Vermeer's death.
The idea behind the artwork is to get as many Delft residents as possible to stick on a figure, thereby symbolising the importance of connection rather than polarisation. The opening ceremony will consist of a pregnant woman, who is due to give birth on 15 December, sticking on the last figure. This will complete the circle, as the first figure was stuck on by the oldest resident of Delft.
The artwork will be unveiled on 12 December at the Vermeer Center Delft, where it will become a permanent part of the collection. The opening is only open to invited guests!
Saturday December 13 and Sunday December 14
Two days of free admission
On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, the Vermeer Center Delft will be open to visitors free of charge. With this free admission, we want to invite as many residents of Delft as possible – who have stuck a sticker in the artwork 'Wij zijn Delft' (We are Delft) – to come and admire it. We also want to welcome as many visitors as possible to enjoy the beautiful art that Johannes Vermeer left to Delft and the world.
There is no need to register for a visit. You are welcome on both days – between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. – at the Vermeer Center Delft, Voldersgracht 21 in Delft.
Sunday december 14
“How does Vermeer sound?” - musical tribute to the Master of Light
To mark the 350th anniversary of Johannes Vermeer's death, the Delft Chamber Music Festival and the Vermeer Center Delft will present the multimedia concert “How does Vermeer sound?” at Theater de Veste in Delft on Sunday 14 December 2025. The programme combines music and painting in a unique experience that brings Vermeer's world to life in sound and vision.
During the concert, Vermeer's paintings will be shown on a large screen, while musicians perform live works that match the atmosphere and themes of his oeuvre. The combination of image and sound brings the painter's intimate, timeless world to life. The repertoire includes music from Vermeer's time, combined with later compositions by Ravel's Piano Trio.
According to artistic director Nino Gvetadze, “this programme shows how Vermeer's tranquillity and light can also be experienced in music”. “How does Vermeer sound?” thus offers a contemporary tribute to one of the greatest masters of Dutch painting.
About the collaboration
The Delft Chamber Music Festival and the Vermeer Center Delft are working together to establish a connection between two important pillars of Delft's cultural identity: the world of chamber music and the legacy of Johannes Vermeer. This collaboration creates a concert experience that goes beyond music alone: images, history and musical composition reinforce each other in a unique way.
Practical information
Date: Sunday 14 December 2025
Location: Theater de Veste, Delft
Performers: Nino Gvetadze - piano, Frederieke Saeijs - violin, Maja Bogdanović - cello
Tickets
The Delft Chamber Music Festival performance will take place on 14 December at 8.15 p.m. in Theater de Veste. Tickets are available via theaterdeveste.nl.