See Girl with a Pearl Earring Art Exhibition on the big screen

Following the success of the first Exhibition on Screen series screened at Cinema Nouveau during 2013, the third documentary in the second season is Girl with a Pearl Earring and other treasures from the Mauritshuis.

The award-winning documentary will give local cinema audiences a unique insight into one of the world's most intriguing portraits, which also celebrates its 350th birthday in 2015.

After two years on a blockbuster world tour, Girl with a Pearl Earring has returned home to the much-loved Mauritshuis Gallery in The Hague, which has just completed extensive renovations.

With huge queues lining up for a glimpse of her enigmatic beauty and nearly 1.2 million visitors at its recent stop in Tokyo in Japan, the enduring appeal of this masterpiece in the history of art is indisputable. Yet, the painting itself remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

Unresolved riddles

This beautifully filmed documentary goes in pursuit of the many unresolved riddles surrounding the extraordinary painting by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Who was this girl? Why and how was it painted? Why is it so revered?

Enjoying unparalleled and exclusive access to this historical museum and exhibition, the film takes the audience on a journey as it seeks to answer many of the questions surrounding this enigmatic painting and its mysterious creator, Vermeer. Using the recently completed and highly complex makeover of the museum as its starting point, the film goes on a behind-the-scenes detective journey to seek out the answers, with many of the clues lying within some of the other masterpieces housed in the collection.

Johannes Vermeer is one of the great Dutch masters and his Girl with A Pearl Earring from c.1665 is one of the most enduring paintings in the history of art. He was the master of light, a talent that is beautifully depicted in Girl with a Pearl Earring in the softness of the girl's face, the glimmers of light that touch her lips and, of course, the shining pearl.

Blockbuster novel

Interest in the most iconic of Vermeer's works was clearly heightened by Tracy Chevalier's blockbuster novel Girl with a Pearl Earring and Peter Webber's subsequent 2003 drama, starring Hollywood actors Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. An interview with author Tracy Chevalier is featured in this documentary. But, there's more to the story than that.

Following two years of extensive renovations, The Mauritshuis in The Hague was reopened by King Willem-Alexander in June 2014. A bright-and-spacious new underground foyer connects the Royal Dutch Shell Wing to the historical 17th-century building that has been thoroughly renovated and embellished. The world art critics gave a unanimous five-star review to this wonderfully refreshed venue.

The Mauritshuis displays a collection of world-famous paintings by Dutch and Flemish masters from the Golden Age. Masterpieces such as The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, The Goldfinch by Fabritius, The Bull by Potter and, of course, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, are on permanent display in the intimate rooms of this majestic 17th-century house.

Cinema audiences will enjoy unparalleled access to what some call 'The jewel of Northern Europe's museums' and detailed, fascinating and illuminating insight into an extraordinary work. The acclaimed British actor Hugh Bonneville narrates.

Exhibition on Screen is produced by award-winning arts documentary maker Phil Grabsky and Seventh Art Productions.

Filmed exclusively for cinema at the exhibitions and on location, this ground-breaking series gives art lovers across the world front row seats to enjoy, marvel at and delight in the amazing works of some of history's most foremost painters on the big screen and with the clarity of stunning high definition.

Most popular art image on the planet

Says Grabsky: "Even more than the Mona Lisa these days, this painting - or weird and wonderful copies of it - are everywhere. In some ways, this has become the single most popular art image on the planet. At first glance, so little seems to be known about her. But, like detectives, we followed the clues and came to some startling conclusions. The millions who saw the film starring Scarlett Johansson will be amazed by the true story."

From Saturday, 17 January, for a limited period, Exhibition on Screen offers local audiences the unique opportunity to visit, from the comfort of their cinema seats, this must-see painting and other treasures now housed in the renovated Mauritshuis.

Girl with the Pearl Earring and other treasures from Mauritshuis releases on South African screens on Saturday, 17 January, 2015, for four screenings only: on 17, 21 and 22 January at 7.30pm and on 18 January at 2.30pm - at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Bookings are now open. The running time of this production is 85 minutes.

For booking information, go to www.cinemanouveau.co.za or sterkinekor.mobi. Download the Ster-Kinekor App on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates, news and to book. Follow on Twitter @nouveaubuzz and on Facebook at Cinema Nouveau. For queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).

www.sterkinekor.com

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