The reputation of Jan Vermeer (1632-75), now often considered the greatest Dutch painter of the generation following Rembrandt, is based only on some 37 surviving paintings. Many are domestic interior scenes depicting women in moments of rapt absorption in a particular action - opening a letter, making lace, pouring milk from a jug. Despite their modest subject matter and small scale, Vermeer's paintings are mysteriously compelling, combining intense precision with profound tenderness. Little is known about Vermeer's career in his native city of Delft, and there has been much speculation about the identity of his sitters and the hidden significance of his compositions. In this film, the tantalizingly private world of Vermeer's art is set in the context of his times, and his images are explored for fresh clues to his artistic personality. Vermeer's technical mastery is also examined. This film offers both an analysis of his unique strengths as a painter and a highly personal tribute to his art.