Vermeer van Delft, Jan (1632 Delft 1675). A Girl Reading. Standing at the open window reading the received letter. Suggestively the curtain as carrier of the mystery, drawn back separating the scenery. On the richly draped table fruit peel in vanitas position, surely as allusion to the contents of the letter. Steel engraving by William French (ca. 1815 – East Grinstead 1898). 3^rd quarter of the 19^th cent. Inscribed: Dresdener Galerie / Jan van der Meer pinx^t. / W. French sc., otherwise as before, in German, too, and with the address of Payne. 18.5 x 13.4 cm.

The illustration at van Straaten, Johannes Vermeer, 1977, no. 52 with the title “Meisje met brief voor open raam”. – Isolated small fox-spots visible on recto only in text-line and wide white margin.
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