New high-resolution image of Vermeer’s recently restored Woman in Blue Reading a Letter
CLICK HERE to access high resolution image
The Rijksmuseum has updated their hi-res image of the Woman in Blue Reading a Letter after its recent restoration. At first sight it looks a bit disjointed as pictures always do after restoration. The whole much cooler in hue now the long winding scarf-like piece of cloth on the table, once fairly muddled, can be made out a bit better recalling a similar scarf-like object that drapes down in the Art of Painting. The figure has gained much force and now stands out of the picture more than it did before the dark, yellow varnish was removed. The painting now appears to have greater spatial resonance and sense of volume.
Some color can be made out in the map as well as a few topographical features which had been overpainted. A row of discreet brass buttons with tiny highlights now run along the side of the foreground chair which had been completely obscured by retouches.
Did you know that this year´s Nobel Prize winner of literature Tomas Tranströmer wrote a poem about this painting? It is simply called “Vermeer”.
No, I didn’t know but thank your very, very much for having brought it to my attention. I will do a post on it soon. Thanks again, Jonathan