Focus on Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window and discuss the Symbolism and technique.
In Vermeer, 1632–1675 (2000), Norbert Schneider wrote that the open window represents "the woman's longing to extend her domestic sphere" beyond the constraints of her home and society, while the fruit "is a symbol of extramarital relations." Schneider concludes that the letter is a love letter either planning or continuing her illicit relationship. He supports the conclusion by observing, as revealed by x-rays of the canvas, that the work as produced by Vermeer portrayed painting of a putto, likely representing Cupid, hanging on the wall in the upper right portion of the piece. Another person painted over the image in the late 18th century so that the wall appeared blank. The overpainting was reversed by a restoration project conducted by the museum Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden from 2018-2021.The draperies, hanging in the right foreground, are not an uncommon element for Vermeer, appearing in seven of his paintings. It is possible that the curtain on the right is referencing the common use of curtains to protect paintings. Even more common, the repoussoir appears in 25, with Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, one of three which feature a rug-covered table or balustrade between the figure and the viewer. It was the last painting in which Vermeer featured this device.This painting and Officer and Laughing Girl represent the earliest known examples of the pointillé (not to be confused with pointillism) for which Vermeer became known. John Michael Montias in Vermeer and His Milieu (1991) points out the "tiny white globules" that can be seen in the brighter parts of both paintings, including the still life elements of both and the blond hair specifically in this work. This use of light may support speculation among art historians that Vermeer used a mechanical optical device, such as a double concave lens mounted in a camera obscura, to help him achieve realistic light patterns in his paintings.
Dresden still life concave lens domestic sphere camera obscura Officer and Laughing Girl pointillism pointillé Cupid John Michael Montias Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden repoussoir putto