Are There Any Known Living Direct Descendants Of Johannes Vermeer?

Are There Any Known Living Direct Descendants Of Johannes Vermeer? 

Written by:

Date Post – Updated:

Johannes and Catherina Vermeer had many children; many of their children lived to adulthood.

We do not have the names of any descendants of Johannes Vermeer. Still, we know that many of his children survived and had children; Johannes Vermeer should have some direct descendants who are living today. Many of his direct descendants may not even know they are related to him.

Table of Contents

Johannes And Catherine Vermeer’s Children

Johannes and Catherine Vermeer had 11 children; many died in infancy but also survived to adulthood.

Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer was born in 1632, and he died in 1675. His wife Catharina was born in 1631 and died in 1688.

Children of Johannes and Catharina Vermeer

The names of their children that we know about are:

  • Maria Vermeer – Born 1654, Died After 1713, Married Johannes Cramer
  • Elisabeth – Born 1657, Died Before 1713
  • Cornelia – No Info On Birth or Death, Birth about 1658
  • Aleydis Was born about 1660, died in 1749, and never married.
  • Beatrix – Birth About 1662, Married Johan Christophorus Hopperus and had at least two children
  • Johannes – Born in 1663, Married maria Anna Frank and had at least one child.
  • Gertruyd – Birth About 1665, Died After 1713, Never Married
  • Franciscus – Birth About 1667, Married Maria de Wee
  • Catharina- Birth About 1669, died after 1713, Never Married
  • Ignatius – Born in 1672, Died after 1713
  • One Child whose name is not known, Birth before 1675

By about 1662, the Vermeers had five children, all girls, and of the five girls, only one had died. Their house would have been busy and full. It also meant that his wife Catherine spent many years constantly pregnant.

Vermeer had so many children, many of whom lived into adulthood and married; many of his children also had children. Any one of the children probably has descendants still living today.

So there must be descendants of Johannes and Catherine Vermeer, who are still alive today, but we do not know the actual names of his descendants who are living.

The Vermeer Last Name And His Children’s Last Names

Johannes Vermeer had at least three sons who lived to adulthood and were married. We know they had some children. We also know his daughter Maria and Beatrix married and had many children.

Today, the Vermeer family name has over 8,300 people with that last name living in Holland. Vermeer can also be found in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and South Africa. There is a chance that some people with the Vermeer name are related to Johannes and Catherine Vermeer.

One of Vermeer’s daughters married a man named Hopperus, and that name can still be found today in Argentina, Holland, and New Zealand.

And Maria married a Cramer, a prevalent name today. Many Cramers exist in the United States, Germany, Holland, and worldwide.

Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer’s oldest son, also named Johannes, became a lawyer in Bruges and had a son named Johannes. Johannes was raised in Delft by his aunt Maria and her husband, Johannes Cramer.

We know that Johannes Vermeer, the grandson of Johannes Vermeer, also had five children. So many of those children probably also survived and married.

We also know that Johannes Vermeer’s other son Franciscus became a prominent surgeon and lived near Rotterdam but later moved to The Hague.

Maria, the oldest daughter, seems to have married very well. They had many children who were well provided for; one of her sons became a Catholic Priest. Maria’s husband was the son of a wealthy Delft silk merchant.

Johannes Vermeer had three daughters who never married and lived to adulthood. The daughters were Aleydis, Gertruyd, and Catherina. They were helped financially by their Grandmother’s estate and the orphan organization.

We are not sure why they did not marry, but it could be that during this time, they needed money to marry well, or maybe they simply chose not to marry.

There is a good chance that many of his children have descendants, but they could live almost anywhere in the world.

Listen To Our Podcast About Who Is Johannes Vermeer? by clicking here.

Johannes Vermeer – Possible Implication Of A Large Family And His Art

Johannes and Catherine Vermeer had a lot of children. Catherine was pregnant during most of their marriage. We do not know if she was sick while pregnant or whether she handled her pregnancies well. But we do know that their house was full of children.

We also know that Catherine Vermeer, despite being pregnant much of the time, also had the burden of looking after her mother, who lived to be 87 years old. Her mother even lived longer than Johannes Vermeer, who died relatively young.

Catherine cared for her children, an aging mother, and her family. Even with the help of a maid, this would have been quite a bit of work.

The fact that the house was full of children and had much to divide his attention could have easily affected Johannes Vermeer and his work. That could be one of the reasons why he painted approximately 3 to 3.5 paintings per child.

The hectic household may have divided his energies and time. He may not have had the time or energy to paint as much as he wanted. He was also known to be a very slow and meticulous painter.

Johannes and Catherina Vermeer had an extensive family, even for this time in Holland. In Holland, many children died and did not live to adulthood, but we know that Vermeer had at least seven of his eleven children live well into adulthood.

Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!

If you are interested to see any of my art, you can find out more by clicking here. If you are interested in what inspires me and my paintings, you can discover more by clicking here.

We have a free newsletter and would love you to be part of our community; you can subscribe to the newsletter by clicking here. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk to you anytime. You can reach me, Anita, by clicking here.

Subscribe to our Anita Louise Art YouTube Channel with great videos and information by clicking here.

Join us for our podcast “5 Minutes With Art.” Spend just 5 minutes a week with us to discover and learn about great art and artists. You can find out more about our podcast by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Johannes Vermeer, and what was he known for?

Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter who lived in the 17th century. He is known for his use of light and color in his paintings, as well as his ability to capture everyday life in his art

What are some of Vermeer’s most famous paintings?

Some of Vermeer’s most famous paintings include “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” “The Milkmaid,” and “View of Delft.”

What is the significance of the “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting?

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” is one of Vermeer’s most famous paintings, and it is often considered a masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age. The painting is notable for the way that Vermeer captured the girl’s expression and the shimmering texture of her pearl earring

What was Vermeer’s artistic style, and how did it compare to other artists of his time?

Vermeer’s artistic style was characterized by his use of light and color, as well as his attention to detail in capturing everyday life. His style was unique compared to other artists of his time, who often painted historical or religious subjects

Was Vermeer recognized as a great artist during his lifetime, or did he become famous later on?

Vermeer was recognized as a talented artist during his lifetime, but he did not become widely famous until long after his death

How did Vermeer’s paintings contribute to the development of Dutch painting in the 17th century?

Vermeer’s paintings are considered to be some of the finest examples of Dutch painting in the 17th century. His use of light and color helped to influence other Dutch painters of the time

What is known about Vermeer’s descendants and their lives?

There is little information available about Vermeer’s descendants, if any exist. But there is a chance he has descendants that we do not know about.

Have any of Vermeer’s descendants followed in his artistic footsteps?

There is no evidence to suggest that any of Vermeer’s descendants have followed in his artistic footsteps.

What is the legacy of Johannes Vermeer, and how has it influenced art and culture over time?

Johannes Vermeer’s legacy as a painter has had a profound impact on art and culture over time. His paintings continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, and his use

Is Art An Natural Gift, Or Can Anyone Be Good At Art If They Practice?

Most artists have some natural gift or desire to be an artist. But their education, hard work, practice, and association with other artists make all the difference. Having a natural gift is the start of becoming an artist, but just having a natural gift will not make you a good artist. Becoming a great artist requires practice, education, and hard work.

By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Is Art An Natural Gift, Or Can Anyone Be Good At Art If They Practice?.

Artemisia Gentileschi And Breaking Gender Barriers In Art

In the 17th Century in Italy, women had two career choices: joining a convent and becoming a nun or wife and mother. The laws also dictated that the man in the women’s lives, such as their fathers, husbands, and even sons, would make all the decisions for their lives. Women during this time had very few rights.

By clicking here, you can learn more by reading Artemisia Gentileschi And Breaking Gender Barriers In Art.

What Is The Difference Between Unity And Harmony in Arts?

Harmony is about art that creates cohesiveness; it stresses the similarities but related parts in the work of art. Unity is a much broader term; unity is all about the different parts of the work of art that are separate but all work together as one. In other words, unity is all the parts working well together in art.

By clicking here, you can learn more by reading What Is The Difference Between Unity And Harmony in Arts?.

Anita Louise Hummel
Follow Me

Share Our Blog