Why it matters
Past a tied-up curtain we glimpse a maid commenting to her mistress on a letter she has just received. The cittern in the woman's lap and the stormy sea painting on the wall suggest it is a love letter.
Did you know?
- The slippers and the broom at the side hint that domestic duties have been forgotten.
- The chequered floor creates a strong sense of depth.
- Painted curtains echo the real curtains that often protected Dutch paintings.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Love Letter (Vermeer) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
