Brieflezende vrouw op een terras 1658 - 1677

"Brieflezende vrouw op een terras" (Woman Reading a Letter on a Terrace) is a 17th-century etching by Dutch artist Wallerant Vaillant, created between 1658 and 1677. The scene depicts a group of four figures, including a woman reading a letter, a man holding her hand, and two women observing them, set in a domestic interior. The artwork is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Vaillant's work is known for its realistic portrayal of everyday life and its use of chiaroscuro. The composition, along with the intimate setting, highlights the emotional impact of the letter on the woman reading it, with a sense of quiet drama and the fleeting moment captured in time. The artist's talent for capturing subtle expressions and gestures makes it a compelling work in the tradition of genre painting.