Seen on the Google Doodle are, 'The Allegory of Painting' (1666-1668), on the left, 'Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid' (1670-1671), centre, and 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' (1657-1659). Photo: Google
Seen on the Google Doodle are, 'The Allegory of Painting' (1666-1668), on the left, 'Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid' (1670-1671), centre, and 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' (1657-1659). Photo: Google
Seen on the Google Doodle are, 'The Allegory of Painting' (1666-1668), on the left, 'Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid' (1670-1671), centre, and 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' (1657-1659). Photo: Google
Seen on the Google Doodle are, 'The Allegory of Painting' (1666-1668), on the left, 'Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid' (1670-1671), centre, and 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' (1657-165

Culture

Art

Who was Johannes Vermeer? Google Doodle pays tribute to Dutch artist

Its search homepage opens with a panel that highlights three of his paintings

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

November 12, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Google has paid tribute to Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer in its latest signature Doodle.

Three of Vermeer’s paintings can be seen on the search engine’s homepage on Friday to celebrate an eponymous exhibition that opened on the same day at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC in 1995.

Seen on the Doodle are, The Allegory of Painting (1666-1668), on the left, Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid (1670-1671), centre, and Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (1657-1659).

The Doodle can be viewed in many countries including the US, Canada, Iceland, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Norway, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Greece and Bulgaria.

It’s also showing in the Mena region, appearing on search engines in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Who was Johannes Vermeer?

Vermeer was born in Delft, the Netherlands in 1632. Although not much is known about his early life, historians have veered towards the belief that he first aspired to be a historical painter based on his early works.

However, by the 1650s, his style evolved to feature more intricate symbology with a focus on domestic interior scenes – something that would later become a hallmark of his paintings.

In 1665, he created perhaps his most famous work The Girl with the Pearl Earring, which is currently on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.

Vermeer died after battling a short illness in 1675. Although there are only 35 universal paintings attributed to him, he has since become known as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

In 2019, his artworks were part of an exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi that celebrated Dutch masters. They also featured works by Rembrandt, Jan Lievens, and Frans Hals and were loaned from the Leiden Collection and Musee du Louvre.

What are Google Doodles?

Google Doodles feature sporadically throughout the year, transforming Google's traditional logo into an animation to pay tribute to an important figure or moment in history.

The doodles can also mark seasonal or celebratory events, such as International Women's Day, for example.

Scroll through our gallery below to see other regional Google Doodles from the past.

  • A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google
    A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google
  • Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous
    Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous
  • Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday
    Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday
  • UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.
    UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.
  • Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.
    Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.
  • Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.
    Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.
  • Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.
    Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.
  • Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.
    Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.
  • Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.
    Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.
  • Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.
    Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.
  • Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.
    Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.
  • The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.
    The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.
  • A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.
    A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.
  • Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.
    Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.
  • Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.
    Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.
  • Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.
    Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.
  • Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.
    Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.
  • Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.
    Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.
  • Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.
    Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.
  • Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.
    Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.
  • A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.
    A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.
  • A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.
    A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.
  • Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.
    Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.
  • Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.
    Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.
  • Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.
    Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.
  • Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.
    Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.
  • Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
    Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

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While you're here
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: November 12, 2021, 7:21 AM
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