Johannes Vermeer: On Reflection

Vermeer, Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, ca. 1657-59, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden. Photo: Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden / Wolfgang Kreische

Johannes Vermeer: On Reflection is the first outing for the newly-restored Girl Reading a Letter at the Open Window by the great Dutch 17th century master. As we posted on Instagram, recent research has revealed that overpaint covering the now visible image of Cupid on the back wall was not the work of Vermeer but of a later hand. Cupid’s presence gives us new insight into the painting, strongly hinting that the letter held by the girl is a love letter. He is shown trampling on a mask, telling us, furthermore, that love conquers deceit. The painting is one only 34 paintings universally attributed to Vermeer. The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister exhibition presents it with nine other works by the artist and around 50 works of Dutch genre painting, making it the largest Vermeer exhibition in Germany to date.

Johannes Vermeer, Young Woman with a Wine Glass, ca. 1659-62, Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum, Braunschweig.