Artwork
Woman writing a letter
Woman writing a letter is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1655 by the Dutch painter Gerard ter Borch, this oil on canvas portrays a solitary woman engaged in the act of writing a letter. The scene is set within a modest bedroom, featuring a canopy bed and a richly patterned carpet, elements typical of ter Borch’s interest in intimate domestic spaces.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, attired in a pink gown trimmed with gold and a blue ribbon in her hair, sits at a wooden table, poised with quill in hand. Her concentration and the quiet ambience suggest a moment of personal reflection, emphasizing the private nature of correspondence in 17th‑century Dutch life.
Technique & Style
Ter Borch employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the illuminated figure and the objects on the table—inkwell, candle, and parchment—to emerge from a deep, shadowed background. This contrast not only models volume but also directs the viewer’s attention to the act of writing, while the subtle color palette underscores the scene’s restrained elegance.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, where it remains on display. Though ter Borch’s reputation was later eclipsed by contemporaries such as Johannes Vermeer, his meticulous treatment of interior genre scenes continued to influence Dutch painters of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerard ter Borch (Dutch: ; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.
