# The Letter Writer

- By: Frans van Mieris (I) (Leiden, 1635–1681)
- Date: 1680
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 25 cm x width 20 cm
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-261--64f5a7acea05ccb86a4e287a087770ee)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/BavLG/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

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.