The painter

Since the 19th century, most critics have tried to see Vermeer himself as the painter. The painter has done everything to create the most complete ambiguity. There is nothing which allows his identity to be certified. The artist is presented from the back. His palette and his colors cannot be seen. This setting symbolizes the painter's image.
Why not Jan Vermeer? Could this be his only self-portrait? How frustrating! Think of Rembrandt who, throughout his life, never ceased representing himself.
Several critics have pointed out an oddity. The painter's clothes are not really what was being worn in Holland in 1660 - 1665. These are very old clothes, known as a Burgundian suit, very fashionable in 1530. If this character is Vermeer, why would he set his character 150 years earlier? Strange anachronism.

The woman

Is this Vermeer's wife Catharina, or his eldest daughter, Bertha? The model's age allows it to be dated. She is very young. If the painter's wife was the model, this would situate it in approximately 1640.
In 1640,it would have been improbable for Vermeer to have acquired this mastery of space and light which characterizes his mature works.
We know Bertha's features, and they are not those of this young woman...