Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'

Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' will be exhibited in Japan for the first time in 14 years. It is a work I personally love, and I went to see it during its previous exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, where I was moved by its serene and sweet presence.
When famous portraits like Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' come to Japan, they attract record-breaking numbers of visitors, but I think it is important to go see the actual works in person and find the answer to 'what did I feel?' for yourself.
You might be so moved that you don't want to leave, or it might not resonate with you as much as you expected. Even so, the experience of facing a 'standard of beauty' that has survived through time becomes an opportunity to re-examine your own sensibilities.
The act of viewing a masterpiece is not just about seeking to be moved, but also a time to gradually cultivate your own aesthetic sense.