The artwork titled “Woman Reading a Letter,” created by Pieter de Hooch in 1664, is an oil painting on canvas representing the Baroque art movement. As a genre painting, it captures a moment from everyday life, depicting a woman engrossed in reading a letter. Measuring 55 by 55 centimeters, this exquisite piece is housed in the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, located in Budapest, Hungary.
In this artwork, a woman is seated in an elegant interior, bathed in natural light streaming through a nearby window. The serene expression on her face reflects the intimacy and personal nature of the letter she is reading. The room is tastefully furnished with a finely covered table, chairs, and a tapestry, exuding a sense of refinement. The open window in the background provides a glimpse of a distant landscape, with lush greenery and the spire of a building punctuating the serene sky. Pieter de Hooch masterfully employs light and shadow, creating a tranquil and contemplative atmosphere that invites the viewer into this private moment.
