 Although Vermeer and the painting both are real historic figures,  the screenplay is based on Tracy Chevaliers novel and therefore  largely fictional or hypothetical. Only 36 Vermeer paintings are  known to exist today, and none of the models have ever been  positively identified. A poster of the painting in her bedroom  inspired Chevalier to write her own version of how it came to exist  based on the framework of Vermeers known history. Chevalier sold  the film rights and opted not to have any involvement in the film or  screenplay, although after its release said she was pleased with the  results.