17C Dutch 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) The Message

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

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Woman Reading a Letter 1664-666

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) Woman in Blue Reading a Letter 1657