Travelers,
During our time in Delft, I felt as though I was walking through time. Seeing the place where Vermeer and Leeuwenhoek lived most of their lives was truly extraordinary. I visualized what the town square most have been like during the 1600's. The different clothing, shops and maybe a few livestock. Despite the sites of Vermeer being completely gone or rebuilt, the city was well preserved. It was somewhat upsetting to see Leeuwenhoek's home as a dentristy. I feel that it deserved to be a site to visit like the Anne Frank House, so his life and work could be celebrated. I would have loved to walk into the home of a biological and optic pioneer. However, walking the same streets was just as fulfilling. In addition, as said in the
Eye of the Beholder, Vermeer and Leeuwenhoek lived within a three minute walk of eachother. I thought perhaps the author was exaggerating, but clearly she was not. Therefore, to conclude that Vermeer and Leeuwenhoek were not even aquaintances is an unlogical conclusion. While living in a small area for many years, you are likely to run into just about everyone in that space. Although this does not prove a friendship, it is a plausable fact that Vermeer and Leeuwenhoek must have met at some point in time. If this would have had an affect on the quality of their work, or was a historical significance, I cannot say.
Sincerely,
A.W
It was sad to see that the cites relating to Leeuwenhoek and Vermeer weren't preserved but that's often how it goes with historical figures who aren't recognized until years after their death. I too was imagining the main square as it was during the Dutch Golden Era, I can't image it looked too different than it did the day we saw it which is strange to think about.
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