“Else’s Letter,” painted in 1918 by Danish artist Caroline van Deurs, captures an intimate moment of a woman, presumably named Else, engrossed in writing a letter. This early 20th-century oil painting showcases Van Deurs’ ability to convey a deeply personal and tranquil scene, emblematic of her storytelling prowess. In this enchanting piece from 1918, titled “Else’s Brev” (Else’s Letter), a young woman sits at a desk before a window, balcony, and city view. Pen in hand, she is midway through writing a letter—perhaps replying to a loyal friend or longing for a distant lover. Her cheeks are flushed, and her pale blue dress is partially lit. Van Deurs captured the scene with her typical mastery—note the clever rendering of the plants, which seem to frame Else as she writes, and the quiet yet pensive atmosphere amid the radiant pastel tints. This work was shown at the Kunstnerforeningen (Danish Artists’ Association) in 1921.
Caroline van Deurs exhibited regularly at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, the Women’s Exhibition in Copenhagen, and at the Paris Salon. Monogrammed in the lower left and framed later, “Else’s Letter” remains a testament to Caroline van Deurs’ ability to create evocative and timeless scenes that resonate with viewers even today.
