Man Writing a Letter, Gabriel Metsu (2.6mb image file), from Codart. Original is in the National Gallery of Ireland.
It’s astonishing how painterly it appears close up.
See my post on Gabriel Metsu.
Eye Candy for Today: Man Writing a Letter, Gabriel Metsu
The alleyway at Prinsengracht in Amsterdam where Metsu once resided, and where he kept or raised chickens that got him into trouble with the neighbour (buurvrouw)forcing him to move out.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alley-on-Prinsengracht.jpg
His name was spelled Metzu in early documentation. He died from a bladder surgery (stones?) gone wrong at the young age of 38.
He must have been an admirer of Vermeer. Same type of composition and as compelling. Thanks for sharing!