That would be the psychedelic 1660's, of course.
This painting, "The Music Lesson," c.1662-65 (minus the added colors, of course), is one of the 35 or so that Vermeer filled with his serene yet dramatic light. Seeing the recent collection, I noticed that his light so radiates drama because it does not fade gradually but seems to depict the sharper contrast of a photograph. Look at the abrupt change from sun to shadow on the left wall. A painting done from a photograph has this aspect because film conveys light much less subtlely than the eye. I wondered how Vermeer could have seen a photograph.
Though surely he hadn't, the lens grinders of Amersterdam could have afforded him a similar sight. Their camera obscura enabled a scene to be projected onto the wall of a room. While Vermeer had no need to copy from the projections, perhaps seeing how this camera lighting emphasized the central interest of the scenes, he incorporated the effect into his work.
A true artist, he could transcend the limitations of the world and transform them into beauty.
However, since looking at music is not the best way to appreciate it, let's get ready to hear some.