Artwork
A Girl Reading a Letter
A Girl Reading a Letter is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
A Girl Reading a Letter is a 1694 oil painting by Dutch artist Godfried Schalcken, exemplifying his skill in genre scenes and portraits.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young woman absorbed in reading a letter by candlelight, a common theme in Dutch Golden Age genre scenes, suggesting a personal or intimate moment.
Technique & Style
Schalcken's work is characterized by meticulous detail and mastery of chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a contemplative atmosphere, typical of the Leiden fijnschilders' refined manner.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister collection, representing Schalcken's contribution to the Dutch painting tradition of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Schalcken (8 October 1643 – 16 November 1706) was a Dutch artist who specialized in genre paintings and portraits.
Young Girl with a Candle
The Gardener
The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene
Girl with Burning Candle
Young woman winding up a watch by candlelight
Junge Frau mit brennender Kerze
The Lost Thread
Lady at a Mirror by Candlelight
Woman with a candle that a boy tries to blow out
Fire and Light (A Girl Places a Candle in a Lantern and a Boy Blows on the Coals in a Chafing-Dish)