'Louvre Museum: Genre Painting — Scenes from Daily Life'

Feb. 21-June 1

Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece "The Astronomer" (ca. 1668) has come to Japan for the first time, and it is accompanied by a selection of works from its usual home of the Louvre.

"The Astronomer" has been on display in Paris since 1983, when the French state received it as an inheritance-tax payment from its owners. Previous to its Louvre showing, it was also lucky enough to have survived seizure by the Nazis during World War II.

This exhibition brings together 83 works from the Louvre, including those by Jean-Francois Millet, Eugene Delacroix and Rembrandt. By focusing on such genre paintings, the selection provides an illustrative view of European everyday life from the 16th to mid-19th century.

The National Art Center, Tokyo; 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Nogizaka Stn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri. till 8 p.m.). ¥1,600. Closed Tue. 03-5777-8600; www.nact.jp