Vermeer's Camera and Tim's Vermeer
Prof Philip Steadman, UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources
In 2001, Philip Steadman published a book, Vermeer’s Camera, about the Dutch painter’s use of the camera obscura – the predecessor of the photographic camera. The book inspired engineer Tim Jenison to rebuild Vermeer’s studio and ‘paint a Vermeer’ using optical methods. The process was recorded in the Oscar-nominated film Tim’s Vermeer.