In 1660, Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer became renowned for his extensive use of ultramarine, a costly pigment derived from lapis lazuli, in his artwork. This lavish application not only enhanced the visual quality of his paintings but also symbolized wealth and status. Vermeer's mastery of color and light contributed to his legacy as one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

Vermeer's extensive use of ultramarine in his paintings around 1660 inspired ekphrastic poetry that celebrated light, color, and domestic scenes. Poets like John Keats drew upon this vivid imagery to explore themes of beauty and the everyday, merging visual art with poetic language to evoke emotional responses.