A Lady Reading a Letter
Discover the hidden intimacy in this 17th-century Dutch painting by Gerard ter Borch.
A Lady reading a Letter (1665) by Gerard ter BorchThe Wallace Collection
This is Gerard ter Bosch's A Lady Reading a Letter.
The focus is on the pretty woman sitting demurely at a table, its covering pushed aside to allow her to work.
Instead, her sewing lies forgotten in its basket as she reads a letter.
A richly coloured textile draped over the table adds a touch of warmth to the scene, contrasting with the cool tones of the surrounding room.
The scene is quiet and still, with the only semblance of movement being the slight smile that crosses her face as she reads her lover’s missive. Although not privy to the text, the viewer is a silent witness to this tender and private moment.
Young people reading or writing letters in Dutch paintings of the period are indicators of amorous correspondence and intrigue.
In this case the distracting power of love is emphasised by the heroine’s neglect of her proper household duties.
The picture, painted at the height of the artist’s ability in the first half of the 1660s, is remarkable for its subtle light and shadow, its rendering of material textures and its masterful use of colour.
Want to learn more about A Lady Reading a Letter? Click here for a closer look at this captivating 17th-century masterpiece.
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