# A Writer Trimming his Pen

- By: Jan Ekels (II) (Amsterdam, 1759–1793)
- Date: 1784
- Medium: panel, oil paint (paint)
- Classification: painting
- Dimensions: height 27.5 cm x width 23.5 cm
- Credit line: Jonkheer J.S.H. van de Poll Bequest, Amsterdam
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/SK-A-690--a4287241d06c3b36fa6e968fb746b827)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/BrUfr/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

While studying in Paris as a young man, Ekels came to appreciate 17th-century Dutch masters – such as Metsu and Ter Borch – who specialized in interior scenes with one or more figures. He made this painting, an example of this genre, upon returning to his native Amsterdam. Ekels probably never saw any work by Vermeer, but his use of light recalls the master’s style.