[4] The subjects of both paintings wear pearl earrings, have scarves draped over their shoulders, and are shown in front of a plain black background.

[5] In addition, it has been suggested (though this has also been widely contested) that the creation of both works involved the use of some optical device, such as a camera obscura[6] or mirror, as the Hockney–Falco thesis speculates.

[8] The lack of idealised beauty has led to a general belief that this work was painted on commission,[6] although it is possible that the model was Vermeer's daughter.

[1] The picture encourages the viewer to be curious about the young woman's thoughts, feelings, or character, something typical in many of Vermeer's paintings.

In 1994, Edward Snow wrote that Portrait of a Young Woman conveys "the desire for beauty and perfection into a loving acceptance of what is flawed".