In October 1632 in the Dutch city of Delft were born Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a pioneer scientists in cell biology and manufacturer of microscopes, and the painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). Although no documents were found to confirm this, it is likely that both knew about the investigations of the other and they got to share them in person.
Many of the paintings of Vermeer seem to make clear that the artist drew on many resources such as optical camera obscura. It is also possible that it was van Leeuwenhoek who introduced him to some of the technical advances in this field.
The installation which Simon Zabell (Spain, 1970) proposes for the Base Area of Casal Solleric reflects on the place that scientific knowledge occupies in the work of Vermeer, highlighting the importance of self-knowledge in each and every one of the eras of art.
Using books, of which the pages are in constant movement thanks to fans directly facing them, he refers to the information that Vermeer possibly had access to in his library.
