Final answer:
The painting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' was created by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, known for his remarkable use of light and composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The painting Girl with a Pearl Earring was created by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.
This masterpiece, often thought of as the Netherland's equivalent of the Mona Lisa, showcases Vermeer's exceptional skill with capturing light and shadow, which is particularly evident in how the light shines on the girl's face, bringing her forward against the dark background, and how the oversized pearl earring seems to glow.
In contrast, other Dutch artists like Rembrandt and Jan van Eyck, though they were also masters of their craft, rendered their subjects differently, often using shadow to create different focal points within their works.