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Woman Reading a Letter, c.1663. Creator: Jan Vermeer
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Woman Reading a Letter, c.1663. Creator: Jan Vermeer
Woman Reading a Letter, c.1663. Other Title(s): Woman in Blue Reading a Letter. In a quiet, private moment, a young woman stands, engrossed in reading a letter. It is morning, and she is still wearing her blue nightrobe. All the other colours are subordinate to its radiant lapis lazuli; yellow and red hardly make an appearance. Vermeer rendered the different effects of the cool light precisely. For example, he was the first artist to try soft grey for flesh, and to paint the shadows on the wall light blue
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Media ID 36334171
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1660s Class Communication Correspondence Domestic Domestic Life Domesticity Household Jacobus Vrel Jan Reyniersz Vermeer Van Delft Jan Vermeer Jan Vermeer Van Delft Johannes Vermeer Johannes Vermeer Van Delft Letter Mail Post Social Class Vermeer Jan Vermeer Johannes Absorbed
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Jan Vermeer's 'Woman Reading a Letter' (c.1663), also known as 'Woman in Blue Reading a Letter,' captures a moment of quiet introspection and personal communication in the 17th century. The young woman, dressed in a radiant blue nightrobe, stands alone in a dimly lit room, absorbed in the contents of a letter. Vermeer's masterful use of light and color is evident in the cool, subdued palette, with the lapis lazuli of her nightrobe dominating the scene. The artist was the first to experiment with soft grey for flesh tones and to paint the shadows on the wall a light blue. This exquisite oil on canvas painting is a testament to the importance of correspondence in the domestic sphere during this time, and the role of clothing in conveying social class and status. The woman's profile, her absorbed expression, and the simple yet elegant setting all contribute to the timeless appeal of this iconic Dutch masterpiece. Originally from the Netherlands, this painting is now housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and is a beloved work of art from the 17th century, offering a glimpse into the world of domestic life and personal communication during this period.
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