A digital painting in the style of Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" features a detailed, realistic steampunk goat named Horaciao. The goat is wearing A duller coloured costume than the original painting, including the headscarf and the famous pearl earring from his left ear. The goat is draped in a dark steampunk brown backdrop, looking over its shoulder at the viewer against a dark, featureless background, with soft light illuminating its face from the left. The image blends the classic painting's aesthetic with steampunk and animal art.
The earlier version I was after, but me and the automaton had a falling out. But all is well now, I think.

“This creative homage breathes new life into Johannes Vermeer’s 17th-century masterpiece by blending its timeless elegance with the retro-futuristic style of steampunk.” -The Steampunk Meme Logbook.

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Assisted by Automaton Improvisation.

Facebook, 11th August 2025.

A digital painting in the style of Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" features a detailed, realistic steampunk goat named Horaciao. The goat is wearing an elaborate leather and brass contraption with multiple lenses, similar to goggles, on its head. It also wears a single, luminous pearl earring from its left ear. The goat is draped in a dark garment with a blue and gold headdress, looking over its shoulder at the viewer against a dark, featureless background, with soft light illuminating its face from the left. The image blends the classic painting's aesthetic with steampunk and animal art.

In a fascinating fusion of classic art and modern subculture, the iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring” has been re-imagined as “Horaciao the Steampunk Goat.” This creative homage breathes new life into Johannes Vermeer’s 17th-century masterpiece by blending its timeless elegance with the retro-futuristic style of steampunk.

The original painting is celebrated for its masterful use of light and shadow, the subject’s captivating gaze, and the striking simplicity of her attire, highlighted by the luminous pearl earring. In this re-interpretation, the essence of the original is preserved while introducing a whimsical and inventive twist. Horaciao, the goat, stands in for the girl, his natural form adorned with steampunk elements. The pearl earring remains a central feature, its classic beauty contrasting with the intricate brass goggles and cogs that are now part of the subject’s headwear.

This artistic project is a brilliant example of how classic works can continue to inspire and evolve, proving that art knows no bounds—not even those between a Dutch master and a whimsical steampunk goat. It invites us to see the familiar in a new light, celebrating the enduring appeal of the original while showcasing the boundless creativity of a modern artistic movement.

Two earlier darts of the goat with the pearl earring.
Two earlier darts of the goat with the pearl earring.