Vermeer originally painted The Little Street with a closed door

Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting The Little Street turns out to have started off quite differently than we thought. New research reveals that the door on the left side of the painting was originally closed. Only later did Vermeer decide to paint the shutters open, giving viewers a glimpse into the house.

Using modern techniques, researchers discovered traces of an earlier version beneath the visible paint. In that version, the facade was closed and less inviting. The reason behind this change remains unclear, but it shows that Vermeer made important decisions during the painting process.

The scene likely depicts Vlamingstraat in Delft, where Vermeer’s relatives lived. The painting is one of his most iconic works, known for its calm, everyday atmosphere.

The discovery highlights how deliberate Vermeer’s working process was. What appears at first to be a simple street scene is, in fact, the result of careful thought and revision.