The Letter Writer

Also titled De briefschrijfster

Frans van Mieris (I) (Leiden, 1635–1681)

1680

Medium
panel, oil paint (paint)
Classification
painting
Dimensions
height 25 cm x width 20 cm
Museum
Rijksmuseum
Rights
Public Domain Mark, as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the Rijksmuseum

About this work

We can only guess as to the content of the letter being composed by this woman. A lute, an instrument with amorous connotations, rests on the table. Writing love letters was wildly popular and highly regarded in that time. Compared to surrounding countries, many people in the Dutch Republic could read and write. The messenger standing behind the woman patiently awaits her to finish so that he can deliver the missive.