Johannes Vermeer (1632 – 1675) is one of the best-known Dutch artists from the seventeenth century. Some of his most recognizable paintings feature a female subject. A lot of these artworks show a woman completing a daily task, such as reading a letter or making something out of lace. Vermeer’s works of art are extremely lifelike. In many cases, he created the impression that the audience is viewing private, personal moments.   Johannes Vermeer and The Mysterious Letters A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, Johannes Vermeer, c.1657/59. Source: Wikiart   Numerous paintings by Vermeer show a female figure either reading or writing a letter. As viewers, we do not know the contents of the written messages, however, our biggest clue is the facial expressions of the women and their surroundings. A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window (c.1657/59) shows a girl completely engrossed by what she is reading. Even though her full focus is on the letter, her facial expression does not give away anything. This lack of information …