Man Writing a Le tte r Man Writing a Le tte r. 1 6 6 2 - 1 6 6 5c . 1 6 6 2 - 1 6 6 5c

The subject of letter writ ing became increasingly The subject of letter writ ing became increasingly popular in art start ing in the 1650s through the popular in art start ing in the 1650s through the masterful works of art ists l ike Gerard ter masterful works of art ists l ike Gerard ter Borch, Gabriel Metsu, Pieter de Hooch and Borch, Gabriel Metsu, Pieter de Hooch and Johannes Vermeer. The works of these artists Johannes Vermeer. The works of these artists wil l be featured in this Powerpoint with wil l be featured in this Powerpoint with images of f igures writ ing, dictating, receiving, images of f igures writ ing, dictating, receiving, sending, and reading letters .sending, and reading letters .

Holland was the most l i terate country in Europe Holland was the most l i terate country in Europe in the 17th century. At this t ime the notion that in the 17th century. At this t ime the notion that writ ing letters could convey private feel ings and writ ing letters could convey private feel ings and emotions, as opposed to issuing public emotions, as opposed to issuing public proclamations or mere commercial information, proclamations or mere commercial information, captured the popular imagination and captured the popular imagination and transformed written communications among transformed written communications among individuals.individuals.

Woman Read ing a Woman Read ing aLe tte rLe tte r

. 1 6 6 2 - 1 6 6 5c . 1 6 6 2 - 1 6 6 5c

Woman Read ing a Le tte r

. 1 6 2 9 - 1 6 8 4c . 1 6 2 9 - 1 6 8 4c

Officers thoughtfully dictate to scr ibes or write Officers thoughtfully dictate to scr ibes or write themselves, while companion paintings feature themselves, while companion paintings feature images of ladies who are the glad recipients of images of ladies who are the glad recipients of these miss ives from the front. The introduction these miss ives from the front. The introduction of pendants l inking the sender and receiver of of pendants l inking the sender and receiver of the letter was an invention that underscored the the letter was an invention that underscored the reciprocity and intimacy of letters .reciprocity and intimacy of letters .

An O ffic e r d ic ta ting a An O ffic e r d ic ta ting a Le tte r Le tte r

. 1 6 1 7 - 1 6 8 1c . 1 6 1 7 - 1 6 8 1c

The weary expressions of the standing trumpeter and The weary expressions of the standing trumpeter and even of the dog indicate that the dictat ing of the letter even of the dog indicate that the dictat ing of the letter has become a time-consuming affair. The playing card has become a time-consuming affair. The playing card (the ace of hearts) next to the dog's hind leg suggests (the ace of hearts) next to the dog's hind leg suggests that the letter is a love letter , rather than off icial that the letter is a love letter , rather than off icial military correspondence. military correspondence.

The model for the young man in the centre was Caspar The model for the young man in the centre was Caspar Netscher, who was ter Borch's pupil in about 1655. The Netscher, who was ter Borch's pupil in about 1655. The picture dates from around this t ime.picture dates from around this t ime.

A GIRL READING A LETTER BY AN OPEN WINDOWA GIRL READING A LETTER BY AN OPEN WINDOWc. 1657-1659

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer

WOMAN IN B LUE READ ING WOMAN IN B LUE READ ING A LETTER A LETTER

c. 1662 - 1665c. 1662 - 1665

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer

THE LOVE LETTER THE LOVE LETTER c. 1667 - 1670c. 1667 - 1670

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer

A LADY WR ITING c. 1665 - 1666c. 1665 - 1666

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer

LADY WR ITING A LETTER LADY WR ITING A LETTER WITH HER MAID WITH HER MAID

. 1 6 7 0 - 1 6 7 1c . 1 6 7 0 - 1 6 7 1c

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer

MIS TRES S AND MAID MIS TRES S AND MAID. 1 6 6 6 - 1 6 6 7c . 1 6 6 6 - 1 6 6 7c

Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer