“Woman in Blue Reading a Letter” is an oil on canvas painting by the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer, created approximately between 1662 and 1663. This Baroque genre painting measures 46.5 x 39 cm and belongs to the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The piece is renowned for its serene depiction of a young woman absorbed in reading a letter, surrounded by the quiet ambiance of a domestic interior.
The artwork features a lone woman dressed in a blue jacket with a delicate white collar reading a letter. Her attire and the quiet domestic scene are typical of Vermeer’s work, which often captures such moments of private contemplation. The blue of her jacket is vibrant against the neutral tones of the wall and floor, drawing the viewer’s attention to her and the letter she holds. Careful attention is paid to the play of light and shadow, particularly in how the light falls on her face, jacket, and the wall behind her.
In the background, a large map hangs on the wall, adding depth to the scene and possibly implying a connection to the contents of the letter or the wider world beyond the intimate setting. The composition is balanced, with the woman’s position off-center and the map occupying a significant portion of the background, creating a sense of depth and perspective. Vermeer’s use of light and color creates an atmosphere of calm and focus, inviting the viewer to ponder the story behind the woman’s letter and her thoughts as she reads.
