One of the greatest paintings of its time IMHO, unlike many Dutch masterpieces of the era (portraits for the wealthy merchants), it captures a woman of low standing going about a routine task, in brilliant detail and composition.
I feel very privileged to find a community to discuss art after leaving the big R. May it long continue :)
It's good to know, I really respect the craft and intelligent of Penn and Teller. Good to have context for Vermeer, even his own life is fascinating - bolstered by rich merchants and noblemen and then crushed after later wars between the Netherlands and other countries.