1600s Women reading & writing letters - no email, no texting...

Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Woman Writing a Letter 1655 detail

Communicating was not that easy in the 17th century. Writers would pour out their hearts in a letter; hope to keep secret plans & tender emotions private; hand the letter over to a hopefully trustworthy messenger for dispatch; & attempt to wait patiently for a reply.


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) The Letter 1655 detail


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Curiosity detail 


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Messenger with Letter


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Lady Reading a Letter


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) The Message


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) A Lady Reading a Letter. c 1662 detail


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Woman Reading a Letter detail


Gerard Terborch (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1617-1681) Young Woman in Peasant Costume After Reading a Letter


Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Lady Writing at Her Desk

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Woman Reading a Letter 1664-66

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Woman Surprised While Writing a Letter


Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1632-1675) A Lady Writing c 1665


Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1632-1675) Mistress Writing and Maid


Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1632-1675) Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window 1657 detail


Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1632-1675) Woman in Blue Reading a Letter 1657

Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1632-1675) Lady Writing a Letter with Her Maid c.1670 detail

Frans Van Mieris the Elder (Dutch painter, 1635-1681) Woman Writing a Letter 1680 detail