Who painted Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter?

Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter was painted by David Wilkie in 1813.

Where can I see Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter?

Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter?

Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter

David Wilkie , 1813

Woman at a Window, Reading a Letter is an ink print by the Romanticist artist David Wilkie. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate below image: DW

About this work

Overview

Sir David Wilkie’s etching, dated around 1813, presents an intimate domestic scene rendered on chine collé. The print captures a quiet moment within a modest interior, emphasizing the interplay of light and everyday activity.

Subject & Meaning

At the window sill a woman is absorbed in a letter, her gaze fixed on the paper. Behind her, another woman supports a young child, suggesting a familial relationship. The composition reflects themes of communication, maternal care, and the private sphere of early‑19th‑century life.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as an etching on a thin paper backing (chine collé), allowing fine line work and subtle tonal variations. Wilkie’s handling of the medium creates delicate shading, particularly in the way daylight filters through the window onto the reader’s face and the letter’s surface.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1813, the print belongs to Wilkie’s later period, when he explored genre subjects through printmaking. It has been documented in several catalogues of his works and is held in public collections that specialize in British prints of the early nineteenth century.

Context

During the early 1800s, domestic genre scenes were popular in British art, reflecting social interest in everyday morality and family life. Wilkie, known for narrative paintings, applied his observational skill to the intimate scale of print, aligning with contemporary tastes for accessible, relatable imagery.