London — A rare exhibition at Kenwood House is captivating the art world by displaying Johannes Vermeer’s The Guitar Player alongside a nearly identical painting long thought to be a copy. The showcase, titled Double Vision: Vermeer at Kenwood, runs through January 11, 2026, marking the 350th anniversary of the Dutch master’s death.
The original Guitar Player, painted in 1672 and signed by Vermeer, is celebrated for its vibrant colors and remarkable preservation. Hanging next to it is Lady with a Guitar, a work owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art that mirrors the composition but features subtle differences: the sitter’s hairstyle is altered, the paint layers are less refined, and crucially, the signature is missing.
For decades, experts dismissed the Philadelphia painting as a later imitation. But fresh scientific studies have reopened the debate. Analysts found that while the London version was created with expensive pigments like ultramarine, the Philadelphia canvas used cheaper indigo and different ground layers. Some believe these variations could indicate experimentation by Vermeer himself, while others argue it proves a follower’s hand.
Rather than deliver a final verdict, curators are encouraging the public to examine both works closely and draw their own conclusions. “To have a copy of The Guitar Player by Vermeer would be extraordinary,” said Wendy Monkhouse, senior curator at Kenwood. “This exhibition is as much about the mystery as the art itself.”
With only 37 authenticated Vermeer paintings in existence, the possibility of a new addition has electrified art historians and enthusiasts. Whether or not the Philadelphia piece proves genuine, the side-by-side display offers a rare glimpse into the enduring fascination with Vermeer’s artistry and the secrets that still surround it.