Obviously
            this is a copy of Vermeer's "A Lady Writing".
            This is my wife's favorite (of my work). Vermeer
            generally is my favorite artist. Copying other
            artists is a traditional way to learn - I did this
            one pretty early on, and relied on a projected slide
            image to draw the picture which I then painted from a
            reproduction poster. I worked hard on smooth painting
            and shadowing in the face, but it does not compare
            with the magnificent work in the National Gallery. I
            copied this one to practice as well as have it for
            myself since I again, I could not buy the original.