Who is Tanneke from Girl with a Pearl Earring and what is their importance?

Tanneke is the first maid that was hired to work in the Vermeer's home. She has been working in the Vermeer's home for fourteen years. Physical beauty is a motif in this story and Tanneke lacks the beauty to be adored or painted. She has badly pockmarked skin from a childhood disease. She is jealous of the the status that Griet gets in the home.