What is a fanlisting?
According to Janine, the founder of TheFanlistings.Org, a fanlisting is "a place for all the fans of a particular show, movie, actor/actress, singer, etc. to come together and build the biggest listing of people all around the world who are fans of that subject." In this case, Colour Catcher is here to unite all fans of the character Griet.
What happens when I join?
When you join, your name, country, email address (can be hidden), and website (if applicable) will be displayed.
Who is Griet?
Griet is the main character in Tracy Chevalier's beautifully written novel Girl With A Pearl Earring. The story takes place in Delft, The Netherlands between the years 1664-1666, and 1676 at the end, and is based on the painting by Johannes Vermeer. At 16 years old, Griet is a determined and perceptive young woman with a passion for colour, as seen in the first scene of the novel when she carefully arranges vegetables in a specific manner:
"I see you have separated the whites....And then the orange and the purple..." [Vermeer said]
"The colors fight when they are side by side, sir." (p 5)
She is chosen to be a maid in the Vermeer household and is the only person allowed in his studio to clean. She must tidy every inch of the room but must be careful to replace anything she moves in the exact way she found it. Eventually, Vermeer chooses Griet to pose alone for a painting to save her from having to pose with his lascivious patron. This painting is kept secret from Vermeer's wife, Catharina, who seems to be very jealous of young Griet. With the pressure of the painting looming over her, Griet falls for the young butcher, Pieter, who wants to marry her and take her away from the household. But Griet isn't able to pull herself away and even goes as far as piercing her ears just for the painting. Even though she does wear Catharina's pearl earrings, I think she is afraid of what the earrings will do to her. She is full of emotion and passion and almost idolizes Vermeer. After the painting is finished, Catharina discovers the work of art and goes crazy at the sight of her pearl earrings on the maid -- she tries to ruin the painting and orders Griet to leave. Dutifully, Griet does.
"For so many years I had not let myself think of the hours I spent grinding colors at his side,
sitting in the light of the windows, watching him look at me." (p 228)
Ten years later, married to and living with Pieter, a maid from the Vermeer household arrives with a message that Catharina wishes to see her. Knowing already that Johannes died and left a great debt to his wife and children, Griet goes to the Vermeer household and is bombarded with memories. In his will Vermeer deeded the pearl earrings to Griet. Catharina gives them to her, emotions held in check. At first hesitant, Griet takes the earrings. I believe this is a moment of truth for her. Every bit of hate and joy she felt in that house must have come back to her at that moment. I admire her strength to overcome everything she went through while living with the Vermeers, which is why she is one of my favourite characters. ^_^