Andrew Graham-Dixon & Teju Cole: Vermeer, A Life Lost and Found

For centuries, the work of Johannes Vermeer, the Master of Delft, has beguiled the art world with its deceptively simple scenes of 17th century Dutch life. Viewers have always sensed that the paintings contained a secret meaning, with no less a writer than Marcel Proust remarking that the work possessed something more than met the eye, but it was impossible to say just what it was. Vermeer has always remained elusive, making a fulsome biography almost impossible — until now. In what the Times Literary Supplement calls "the best biography of Vermeer and the most complete analysis of his artwork that has ever been published," Andrew Graham-Dixon has revealed the enigmatic essence at the heart of Vermeer's work, opening up a radical new school of interpretation. In conversation with acclaimed novelist, critic, and photographer Teju Cole, Graham-Dixon will illuminate the best-kept secrets of this most supreme of all painters.

ABOUT THIS EVENT'S GUESTS:

Andrew Graham-Dixon is one of the leading art critics and presenters of arts television in the English-speaking world. He has presented numerous landmark series on art for the BBC and other independents, and his published works include A History of British Art (1995), Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel (2007), and Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane (2010), which was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction.

Teju Cole is a novelist, essayist, and photographer. He was the photography critic of the New York Times Magazine from 2015 until 2019. He is currently the Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of Creative Writing at Harvard and a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine. His published works include the novels Open City (2011) and Tremor (2023), which was named a book of the year by Time, the Washington Post, and New York Magazine; the essay collection Known and Strange Things (2016), which was shortlisted for both the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay and the inaugural PEN/Jean Stein Award; and Blind Spot (June 2017), a genre-crossing work of photography and texts, which was shortlisted for the Aperture/Paris Photo Photobook Award and named one of the best books of the year by Time Magazine.

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This event is part of our signature Salon Series, where we host local and international authors, artists and thinkers in conversation about their new books and big ideas.

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PLAN YOUR VISIT:

Location: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor

Time: Doors open 6:00pm, Event starts 7:00pm.

Tickets: Free registration required.

Ticket policy: We oversell these events to make sure that the greatest number of people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets are guaranteed until 6:45pm or until capacity is reached. Any remaining space will be opened up to the rush line beginning at 6:45pm. Seating first come, first served. Tickets do not guarantee seats.

Bar: Beer/wine available for purchase (debit/credit only).

Accessibility: TPL is committed to accessibility. If you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation for this event, please contact [email protected] or 416-393-7099 at least three weeks prior to the event.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada

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