Interruption of the music, Johannes Vermeer - ca. 1659 from the old master collection

The Interruption of Music is a small, unsigned painting by the Dutch master Jan Vemeer from around 1660. Along with two other Vermeers, it is considered one of the masterpieces in the Frick Collection in New York.
The perception and historical research of the canvas are hampered by its relatively poor condition, as was already noted in the 19th century. In 1907, the severely worn painting was thoroughly restored. This included the removal of a violin that had been added later and which had been hung on a nail in the wall in front of the Cupid. Next to the window hangs a birdcage that is probably not original either. Nor are these symbols important to the composition or to Vermeer's narrative. The girl's red dress lost much of its original lightness and depth in earlier retouches.

Original size is 39.4 × 44.5 cm.

Johannes Vermeer (baptized in Delft, October 31, 1632 - buried there, December 15, 1675) was a Dutch painter of the Golden Age.

Vermeer had a preference for timeless, subdued moments. He remains enigmatic because of his inimitable coloring and bewildering light. Vermeer's paintings, mostly genre pieces and a few history pieces, allegories and cityscapes, are distinguished by a subtle use of colour and ideal composition. He sometimes used expensive pigments and had a great preference for ultramarine and lead-tinged yellow.