Johannes Vermeer’s paintings have long captivated art lovers with their serene beauty and enigmatic subjects. Now, a new exhibition at the Frick Collection in New York City is shedding light on a particularly intriguing aspect of his work: the depiction of women writing or receiving letters. “Vermeer’s Love Letters” brings together three of the Dutch master’s paintings that explore this theme.
At the heart of the show is the Frick’s own “Mistress and Maid,” painted around 1664-67. It is joined by two other masterpieces on loan from museums in Dublin and Amsterdam. The exhibition’s title suggests that the women in these paintings are engaged in romantic correspondence, with their maids serving as confidantes and go-betweens.
However, this interpretation is highly speculative. The letters could just as easily contain news from a relative, a business matter, or even a note from the maid herself. Regardless of their content, the letters add an element of narrative intrigue to Vermeer’s signature scenes of quiet domesticity.
The women appear lost in thought, their faces expressing a range of emotions from anxiety to contemplation.
Vermeer’s captivating women and letters
The maids, too, play a crucial role in these compositions.
As guest curator Robert Fucci explains, “They have extra intelligence. They are the ones going to the other person, delivering a letter or receiving a letter. They have no doubt witnessed some emotion involved in that process.”
Vermeer’s letter paintings also offer a glimpse into the social dynamics of 17th-century Dutch society.
“It was a time when women were being given more say in the choice of a life partner, though that choice was very often still the domain of the parents,” Fucci notes. For art lovers, the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see three of Vermeer’s works side by side. With only around 35 paintings by the artist known to exist, having three in one room is a remarkable event.
“Vermeer is an artist that we cannot get enough of,” says Aimee Ng, the Frick’s curator. “We’ve had really, really crowded galleries since reopening.”
“Vermeer’s Love Letters” is a testament to the enduring appeal of this enigmatic artist. It invites visitors to engage in close looking and deep contemplation, promising new insights into some of Vermeer’s most fascinating works.
The exhibition is on view at the Frick Collection through August 31, 2025.
