The Girl With a Pearl Earring: A Dermatological Puzzle
July 2025
in “
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
New to Alopecia Areata? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study explores the potential link between the sparse eyebrows and lashes of the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and conditions such as alopecia areata, while also considering other medical hypotheses like syphilis, but maintains that the painting's charm and idealized beauty remain intact.
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The article explores the dermatological aspects of Johannes Vermeer's painting "The Girl with a Pearl Earring," focusing on the possibility that the subject may have had alopecia areata, as she appears to lack eyebrows and lashes. The painting's subject, possibly a 'tronie' or the artist's daughter, wears an unusual turban that might suggest scalp alopecia. Sparse eyelashes detected through advanced imaging suggest madarosis, which can result from various causes, including alopecia areata, syphilis, or other conditions. Despite these medical speculations, the painting remains a representation of idealized beauty.
