The letter - Edward Portielje (1861 - 1949)

Oil on canvas
Signed lower right, "Edward Portielje."

Edward Portielje was a Belgian genre painter. Genre scenes were his speciality, with an occasional portrait or seascape. Much of his inspiration came from the fishing communities in Zeeland. Many of his works are series of similar interior scenes, created according to the wishes of his agents. They generally consist of a room with a sunny window, occupied by women in traditional clothing, engaged in some daily activity. These paintings were very popular, selling throughout Europe and the United States.