The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan will begin accepting entries for the art contest "My Girl with a Pearl - in Japan 2026" from July 1st. The grand prize winner will receive a pair of round-trip airline tickets to the Netherlands, the country where "Girl with a Pearl Earring" was created. This contest seeks works inspired by the masterpiece "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer, a leading painter of 17th-century Netherlands. It is being held to commemorate the "Vermeer Exhibition" at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka in the summer of 2026, and the first visit of "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to Japan in 14 years, which is scheduled to be exhibited at the same exhibition. "Girl with a Pearl Earring" has captivated many people across eras and borders with its enigmatic expression and striking gaze. This contest is looking for new interpretations of the "girl" born from the free ideas and perspectives inspired by this masterpiece. The expression method for submitted works is open, and anyone, professional or amateur, can participate for free. We look forward to encountering a diverse range of works born from Japanese sensibilities through this contest. We sincerely await your submissions. [Contest Overview] Name: My Girl with a Pearl - in Japan 2026 Entry Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59 (Japan Standard Time) How to Enter: Upload your artwork data via the special website Special Website: https://www.timeout.jp/tokyo/ja/things-to-do/netherlands-mygirlwithapearl-injapan2026 Entry Fee: Free [Prizes] The grand prize winner will receive a pair of round-trip airline tickets to the Netherlands, and other winners will receive special commemorative gifts. [Judges] The judging is scheduled to be conducted with the participation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Japan, The Asahi Shimbun Company, CAVE-AYUMI GALLERY, and Dutch artist Charlotte Dumas, among others. [Announcement of Winners] Judging will take