75 Griet cannot move her eyes and thoughts from Vermeer. Time together
with him seems to go very fast. “The church bell struck three times. I blink. I had not felt so much time pass. It was as if I had fallen under a spell”. p. 191 This is
the best thing that Griet likes about her new life is being in the studio because it makes her close to her master and reminds her to her father as well.
The room gave off a clean, sharp odour of linseed oil that reminded me of my father’s clothes when he had returned from the tile factory at night. It
smelled like wood and fresh-cut hay mixed together. p. 33
In fact, Vermeer tries to control and keeps his feelings toward Griet. He does not want to cross the line and goes too far. He may feel something for her but
in the end, his passion for the perfect painting is stronger than his feeling toward Griet.
d. Triangle Love
The pearl earrings are symbol of triangle love between Vermeer, Catharina, and Griet. Vermeer has created a relationship between two women and
this condition drives him into a triangle love. Even though Vermeer has a “difficult relationship” with Griet, he still loves his own wife, Catharina.
Catharina and Vermeer’s love is a commitment, the decision to take steps to maintain the love and the relationship. “They have been together for a long time
that they want to share achievements and plans they made with each other. Their love is Companionate. It is an intimate and long-term commitment” Sternberg,
1987, p. 341.
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76 He does not want to lose his wife and leave her. He loves her very much.
Vermeer wants to keep his love and relationship with Catharina by not telling her that he paints Griet. He does not want to hurt Catharina’s feeling because he
knows that she does not like Griet. “What will your wife say when she sees the finished painting?” I asked
instead, as boldly as I dared. “She will not see it. I will give it directly to van Ruijven.” It was the first
time he had admitted he was painting me secretly, that Catharina would disapprove. p. 209
As a result, he makes an agreement with van Ruijven to paint Griet alone and secretly.
My master must have agreed to paint me alone so that he would not have to paint me with van Ruijven.
Maria Thins knew about the painting as well. It was she who probably made the arrangement with van Ruijven. p. 195
Vermeer paints Griet not only because of his client’s commission. It is also because of he himself who wants to paint her and see her wearing his wife’s pearl
earrings. It is proved that a man can love two women or more at once. He looked down at the paint, the palette knife moving again. I think he
smiled a little. “I want to see you wear the earring.” p. 209 “But you know what will happen then, sir.”
“I know the painting will be complete.” You will ruin me, I thought. Again I could not bring myself to say it.
Vermeer and Griet develop a complex emotional relationship that causes jealousy in his wife, Catharina. However, he puts his attention on Griet because of
her talent. His attention is mostly from the painter’s perspective. He needs someone to talk about art. Nevertheless, he cannot deny that he wants her.
Vermeer does not refuse when Griet asks him to put the earring on her ear. He simply touches her ear gently.
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77 He rubbed the swollen lobe between his thumb and finger, and pulled it
taut. With his other hand he inserted the earring wire in the hole and pushed it through. A pain like fire jolted through me and brought tears to
my eyes.
He did not remove his hand. His fingers brushed against my neck and along my jaw. He traced the side of my face up to my cheek, then blotted
the tears that spilled from my eyes with his thumb. He ran his thumb over my lower lip. I licked it and tasted salt. p. 221
Their relationship is a romantic love that “bonds individuals emotionally through intimacy and physically through passionate arousal, but neither is
sustained without commitment” Sternberg, 1987, p. 341. “With passion, there is the initial infatuation, the strong emotions, and the attraction” Sternberg, 1986, p.
119-135 between them. However, in the end of the story, Vermeer feels very regret because of hurting his wife’s feeling. Even though Vermeer has a forbidden
relationship with Griet, he still loves his own wife, Catharina.
e. Betrayal
