Woman Writing a Letter (c. 1655)

This page presents "Woman Writing a Letter" (c. 1655), created by Gerard ter Borch. Background on Figurative: Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. Context for c. 1655: In Japan the Edo period began in 1603, and in China the Qing dynasty took power in 1644, both bringing new patrons and styles. In the Dutch Republic, a prosperous middle-class market supported landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes of daily life painted at a modest scale for the home. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in portrait orientation.

On onlly.art "Woman Writing a Letter" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

Dutch, 1617–1681

If you like the visual language of Gerard ter Borch, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.