Precise white highlights glisten from the writing box, pearl earrings, satin hair ribbons, and the chair's brass tacks - all of which lie equally in the middle distance. The viewer's eye is lead first to the maid, then on to the mistress as the focal point of the painting. The painter created his work near the end of his career as he died in 1675 at an unexpected death. Signature: Signed on the table, under the left arm of the lady writing. Bought by art dealer Sedelmeyer, Paris, same year: Sold to Secrétan, same year. The representation of universal truths was achieved by eliminating incidental objects and through subtle manipulation of light, color and perspective. Strong light outlines the writing arm against the shaded wall, reflecting in angular planes from the blouse that contrast abruptly with the regimented folds of the maid's costume. Only objects at a certain distance from the camera or the eye are in sharp focus. blurred, and the painting on the far wall is hazy. Art dealer Kleinberger, Paris. The left upright of the picture frame anchors her in place while the regular folds of her clothing sustain the effect down to the floor. Since letters were prized in the 17th century, it must have been thrown aside in anger. Sale Rotterdam, 1730. Collection A. Beit, London. 65 LETTER XXVIII Cont. Powerful verticals and horizontals in the composition, particularly the heavy black frame of the background painting, establish a confining backdrop that contributes to the restrained mood. Her older age however does not add to the sophistication of the woman as her significance is taken away and placed upon the maid. Above all, Vermeer was a painter of light. The painting illustrates a middle class woman seated at a table writing a letter as her maid accompanies her. Vermeer is famous for capturing the delicate equilibrium of the moment between the physical stillness of a setting and a transient moment of the individual (Schmidt, 2016). The composition is activated by the strong contrast between the two figures. In contrast, the mistress inclines dynamically on her left forearm. This scientific device employed an adjustable lens and Pg. The owner, a member of Britain's Parliament, was targeted by the IRA, who broke into his estate in 1974 and took a total of nineteen paintings. This new style differs from Vermeer's classic illustration of characters within his art as they are always a centred focus. The thought provoking artwork is a significant piece to note as it illustrates the transition of Vermeer heading towards the unknown through his work. Above all, Vermeer was a painter of light. By avoiding anecdote, by not relating actions to specific situations, he attained a sense of timelessness in his work. She is dressed in a beige flowing dress paired with white ruffles along her sleeve adding to the artwork. Copyright © 2011-Present www.JohannesVermeer.org. Contemporary interpretation of this story equated it with God's ability to conciliate opposing factions. The placid scene with its muted colors suggests no activity or hint of interruption. Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid (detail) c. 1670 Oil on canvas National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin: Tthe mistress inclines dynamically on her left forearm. The foundation of the piece is based on Vermeer's classic conservative style of artistry while incorporating a slight edge that explores the transitional form of the 1670's. The wealthier woman is seated at a table near the left of the painting working on composing a letter with her head down. This is just as they would look to someone concentrating specifically on the woman. The figures, although distinct individuals, are joined by perspective. "Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid" exemplifies Vermeer's essential theme of revealing the universal within the domain of the commonplace. The maid stands upright with her hands folded against the other as she waits for the woman to finish writing the letter. The red wax seal, rediscovered only recently during a 1974 cleaning, indicates the crumpled letter was received, rather than being a discarded draft of the letter now being composed. This is exactly the optical effect ….sowing what they please, and are generally very industrious husbandmen. The near tablecloth is purposely Vermeer has generated here. Similar artworks to the painting include The Love Letter, and Mistress and Maid. © www.Jan-Vermeer.org 2017. I drank here several sorts of delicious wine. The artist places the made in the middle of the frame, moving the woman to the right side of the canvas. Sale E. Secrétan, Paris, 1889. Fragment is one of artworks by Jan Vermeer. The maid's gaze being lost outside of the mosaic window as she ponders her own life and events seizing the viewer. The woman's is of an older age than the woman the artist had usually portrayed, with grey hair pinned upwards. This explains the vehement energy being devoted to the composition of the response. "Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid" exemplifies Vermeer's essential theme of revealing the universal within the domain of the commonplace. Vermeer shuns direct narrative content, instead furnishing hints and allusions in order to avoid an anecdotal presentation. The artwork Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer is dated back to 1671. Collection Marinoni, Paris. Collection Hendrik van Slingelandt, 1752. The painting is one of the first of the artist's where he explores a non-central frame for the painting by displacing the imagery in a different form. Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid, 1670; Allegory of Faith, 1671; Complete Johannes Vermeer Paintings; A Lady Writing a Letter, 1665 by Johannes Vermeer Click Image to view detail. This is the second work, together with the Guitar Player (Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, London), given as security for a debt of fl 617 by the widow of Vermeer to the baker van Buyten, on 27 January 1676. Most of the thirty-five or so paintings that now are thought to be Vermeer's creations share the same setting, his parents' home, which he inherited. This spiritual reconciliation will lead to the serenity personified in the figure of the maid. By avoiding anecdote, by not relating actions to specific situations, he attained a sense of timelessness in his work. The painting is a classic example of the immense layers of depth art carries through a simple canvas. In his study of optics he undoubtedly used a camera obscura, or "darkened chamber,"" the ancestor of the modern photographic camera. Lines from the upper and lower window frames proceed across the folded arms and lighted forehead of the maid, extending to a vanishing point in the left eye of the mistress. Because she directly faces the viewer with an open gaze, the painting may be a portrait. Mentioned in the inventory of his estate, 1734. She is noting everything – this is a valuable anthropological practice. Provenance: This masterpiece has been stolen not once, but twice in the last twenty-five years. Her compositional placement thrusts her against the compressed space on the right side of the canvas. In 1986, the Dublin underworld stole the painting. The maid's action of turning her head away seems to indicate an inner restlessness or contempt for her master. Her compositional placement thrusts her against the compressed space on the right side of the canvas. The maid's gravity is emphasized by her central position in the composition. Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, 1657, Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid, 1670. Only after more than seven years of secret negotiations and international detective work was the painting recovered. Johannes Vermeer's critical attention to detail holds the attention of viewers for centuries as they are captivated by his brilliant style exploring the Dutch Golden Age. All Rights Reserved. These allusions have led critics to construe Vermeer's theme as the need to achieve reconciliation, through individual effort and with faith in God's divine plan. The canvas presents a deceptively simple composition. Johannes Vermeer's critical attention to detail holds the attention of viewers for centuries as they are captivated by his brilliant style exploring the Dutch Golden Age. Collection Miller von Aichholz, Vienna, 1881. While the mistress concentrates on writing, the maid looks out of the window. In his study of optics he undoubtedly used a camera obscura, or "darkened chamber,"" the ancestor of the modern photographic camera. The crumpled letter on the floor in the right foreground is a clue to the missive the mistress is composing. The composition moves the eye towards the women from both sides. Based on the placement of the artwork it is evident that the artist is placing the focal point of the painting on the maid standing at the centre of the frame. Two other Vermeers show the mistress and maid theme: Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, and The Love Letter, but in these the interaction between the women is the subject, whereas here the women look in opposite directions. The woman stares at the window to the right of her, looking far into the distance as she ignores what is occurring with her master. Perhaps the woman is psychologically and emotionally exhausted by her job serving the woman, day dreaming as she stares outside. Lady writing a Letter with her Maid. Artwork analysis, large resolution images, user comments, interesting facts and much more. Foundation Beit, Blessington. The firm stance of the statuesque maid acts as a counterweight to the lively mistress intent on writing her letter. mirrors to capture reflected light and project the scene onto a viewing screen in its lid. The mistress is painted in precise, meticulous strokes as opposed to the broad handling of the brush used to depict the maid. Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid, 1670; Allegory of Faith, 1671; Complete Johannes Vermeer Paintings ; Johannes Vermeer and his paintings Johannes Vermeer, a renowned Dutch artist during the Golden Age era, made a name for himself from his famous works including the View of Delft and Little Street. All Rights Reserved. National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin. The exploration experiment with the centrifugal composition brings a new feel to Vermeer's work with a deeper message behind the artwork.

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