1670 (ca.), Johannes Vermeer, Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label to both this painting and Vermeer's Mistress and Maid (see separate photograph):
A WORLD OF LETTERS
Vermeer produced six paintings on the subject of letter writing. The women in both of the works shown here are cloistered in domestic interiorsa, and letters were the channels through which news from the outside world could enter. The woman writing in the Gallery's Vermeer is absorbed in her task, while the writer in the Frick's Vermeer is interrupted by the arrival of a new message. She moves her hand to her chin in an expression of shock. It seems this letter is unexpected.
Both women write with quills, using ink from luxurious silver inkwells. In the Gallery's Vermeer, a bright red seal and stick of sealing wax are visible on the floor. Beside them lies a discarded booklet, perhaps a writing manual. The wooden coffer in the Frick's Vermeer could store letters, and their private contents, under lock and key. In both paintings, Vermeer keeps the subjects of the letters a secret.
MISTRESSES AND MAIDS
Many of Vermeer's subjects come from privileged backgrounds. Their status is reflected in their clothing. For instance, the woman in the Frick's Vermeer wears a necklace and hair decorations made of pearls. The fur-trimmed yellow morning jacket is recorded in Vermeer's inventory, and likely belonged to his wife Catharina. The woman in the Gallery's Vermeer wears a precious jewelled brooch. The large teardrop earrings worn by both women were likely imitation pearls of Venetian blown glass.
The maids in both paintings wear outfits suitable for their tasks, consisting of a brown bodice and overskirt, covered by a blue apron. The maid in the Frick's Vermeer plays an important role, as she informs the mistress of the arrival of a letter. Perhaps she knows its contents too. The maid in the Gallery's Vermeer looks out of the window while waiting for the woman to complete her letter. This makes us wonder, has something outside caught her attention?
1670 (ca.), Johannes Vermeer, Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label to both this painting and Vermeer's Mistress and Maid (see separate photograph):
A WORLD OF LETTERS
Vermeer produced six paintings on the subject of letter writing. The women in both of the works shown here are cloistered in domestic interiorsa, and letters were the channels through which news from the outside world could enter. The woman writing in the Gallery's Vermeer is absorbed in her task, while the writer in the Frick's Vermeer is interrupted by the arrival of a new message. She moves her hand to her chin in an expression of shock. It seems this letter is unexpected.
Both women write with quills, using ink from luxurious silver inkwells. In the Gallery's Vermeer, a bright red seal and stick of sealing wax are visible on the floor. Beside them lies a discarded booklet, perhaps a writing manual. The wooden coffer in the Frick's Vermeer could store letters, and their private contents, under lock and key. In both paintings, Vermeer keeps the subjects of the letters a secret.
MISTRESSES AND MAIDS
Many of Vermeer's subjects come from privileged backgrounds. Their status is reflected in their clothing. For instance, the woman in the Frick's Vermeer wears a necklace and hair decorations made of pearls. The fur-trimmed yellow morning jacket is recorded in Vermeer's inventory, and likely belonged to his wife Catharina. The woman in the Gallery's Vermeer wears a precious jewelled brooch. The large teardrop earrings worn by both women were likely imitation pearls of Venetian blown glass.
The maids in both paintings wear outfits suitable for their tasks, consisting of a brown bodice and overskirt, covered by a blue apron. The maid in the Frick's Vermeer plays an important role, as she informs the mistress of the arrival of a letter. Perhaps she knows its contents too. The maid in the Gallery's Vermeer looks out of the window while waiting for the woman to complete her letter. This makes us wonder, has something outside caught her attention?