Seven colours?!

Here's a mind blowing fact for fellow artists.

Jan Vermeer did most of his paintings using only SEVEN COLOURS.

• White Lead
• Yellow Ochre
• Vermillion
• Red Madder
• Green Earth
• Raw Umber
• Ivory Black

In total, he only would have had access to around 17.

The painting shown here is "Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid", c. 1670-1671, which was once stolen for a week in 1974 by armed members of the IRA.

(Does it show I'm reading art history books every night before bed?)

Currently playing: Queen - In Only Seven Days