Woman Reading a Letter

Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675), oil on canvas, c. 1663

Enjoying a quiet, private moment, this young woman is absorbed in reading a letter in the morning light. She is still wearing her blue night jacket. All of the colours in the composition are secondary to its radiant lapis lazuli blue. Vermeer recorded the effects of light with extraordinary precision. Particularly innovative is his rendering of the woman’s skin with pale grey, and the shadows on the wall using light blue.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-C-251
  • Dimensionsheight 70 cm x width 63 cm, height 46.5 cm x width 39 cm x depth 6.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsolieverf op doek