Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid by Johannes Vermeer

Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid - Johannes Vermeer - Canvas Wall Art

About This Piece

Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid - Johannes Vermeer - Canvas Wall Art is part of our hand painted oil painting collection from the Various Artists selection. Each canvas is worked by a trained artist, then inspected before dispatch — a practical route to owning classical wall decor at a fraction of gallery pricing.

The Story Behind the Painting

c. 1670
Oil on panel
72.2 x 59.7 cm (28 13/32 x 23 1/2 in.)
National Gallery of Ireland, Ireland.

Mark Harden:

"This masterpiece has been stolen not once, but twice in the last twenty-five years. 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. It was recovered a week later, having sustained only minor damage. In 1986, the Dublin underworld stole the painting. Only after more than seven years of secret negotiations and international detective work was the painting recovered. Hopefully Vermeer's "The Concert", recently stolen from the Gardner Museum in Boston, will be recovered in a similar manner.

"Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid" exemplifies Vermeer's essential theme of revealing the universal within the domain of the commonplace. By avoiding anecdote, by not relating actions to specific situations, he attained a sense of timelessness in his work. The representation of universal truths was achieved by eliminating incidental objects and through subtle manipulation of light, color and perspective.

"The canvas presents a deceptively simple composition. The placid scene with its muted colors suggests no activity or hint of interruption. 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.

"The composition is activated by the strong contrast between the two figures. The firm stance of the statuesque maid acts as a counterweight to the lively mistress intent on writing her letter. The maid's gravity is emphasized by her central position in the composition. 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. In contrast, the mistress inclines dynamically on her left forearm. Her compositional placement thrusts her against the compressed space on the right side of the canvas. 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. The mistress is painted in precise, meticulous strokes as opposed to the broad handling of the brush used to depict the maid.

"The figures, although distinct individuals, are joined by perspective. 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. The viewer's eye is lead first to the maid, then on to the mistress as the focal point of the painting.

"Vermeer shuns direct narrative content, instead furnishing hints and allusions in order to avoid an anecdotal presentation. The crumpled letter on the floor in the right foreground is a clue to the missive the mistress is composing. 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. Since letters were prized in the 17th century, it must have been thrown aside in anger. This explains the vehement energy being devoted to the composition of the response. Another hint is provided in the large background painting, "The Finding of Moses". Contemporary interpretation of this story equated it with God's ability to conciliate opposing factions. 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. This spiritual reconciliation will lead to the serenity personified in the figure of the maid."

Every hand painted oil painting in this fine art series is finished on artist-grade canvas and checked against the original before it leaves the studio.

Materials & Craftsmanship

This is a genuine hand painted oil painting, not a canvas print. Our painters match the palette of Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid by eye and build up the fine art forms in thin layers, which is what gives the finished fine art oil painting its luminosity.

Product Details

• 100% hand-painted oil painting on artist-grade canvas — never a print or digital reproduction.
• An extra 2-inch blank border is left around all edges for easy stretching and framing.
• No middlemen — we ship directly to you worldwide.
• Available canvas sizes for this hand painted oil painting: 20 X 24 in, 24 X 36 in, 30 X 40 in, 36 X 48 in, 48 X 72 in.
• Custom sizes available: order this painting in your preferred dimensions.
• Flexible shipping through DHL, UPS, FedEx, USPS and partner networks.
• Complimentary stretching over wooden stretcher bars; ask us about a custom frame.
• Before dispatch we email a digital proof so you can approve the finished canvas.

Wall Decor & Gifting

Hang this fine art oil painting above a sofa, console, or bed to give a bedroom an instant focal point. Its classical palette works with both minimalist and period interiors, and the piece also makes a considered gift for housewarmings, weddings, and art lovers.

Ordering & Peace of Mind

Order Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid as a hand painted oil painting on canvas and add lasting classical character to your bedroom. Custom sizes, a digital proof before dispatch, and secure worldwide shipping are included.