Geweigerde brief
Jan van Somer
1676
Medium
paper
Dimensions
269; 217
About this artwork
height 269 mm x width 217 mm
Art Historical Context
Jan van Somer’s *Geweigerde brief* (The Refused Letter), created in 1676, is a delicate work on paper measuring just 269 by 217 millimeters. Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the piece reflects the era’s flourishing print culture, when artists used affordable media like paper to reach broader audiences beyond wealthy collectors. Van Somer, active in Amsterdam and later London, was known for his skill in mezzotint and engraving techniques that captured subtle tonal effects and everyday narratives with remarkable intimacy. The modest scale and paper medium suggest this work wa...