Officer Writing a Letter, with a Trumpeter

Gallery 362, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Officer Writing a Letter, with a Trumpeter

c. 1658-1659

Gerard ter Borch the younger (Dutch (active Haarlem, London, Amsterdam, Zwolle, and Deventer), 1617–1681)

Gerard ter Borch situates the quiet, reflective activity of letter-writing in the traditionally boisterous environment of the guard room. Card-playing was a favorite activity of lovers, and the ace of hearts on the floor in the foreground suggests that the letter being written is an amorous one. The shards of clay pipe scattered around the card refer both to merrymaking activities usual in such a room, and to frustrations the letter-writer is having in expressing his romantic feelings.

Gallery 362, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Officer Writing a Letter, with a Trumpeter

Date:

c. 1658-1659

Artist:

Gerard ter Borch the younger (Dutch (active Haarlem, London, Amsterdam, Zwolle, and Deventer), 1617–1681)

Medium:

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

22 3/8 × 17 1/4 inches (56.8 × 43.8 cm) Framed: 33 7/8 × 29 1/4 × 2 7/8 inches (86 × 74.3 × 7.3 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

The William L. Elkins Collection, 1924

Accession Number:

E1924-3-21

Geography:

Made in Netherlands, Europe

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Gallery 362, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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