Brief aan de Commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Utrecht Possibly 1866

Sophie de Koningh wrote this letter in 1866, using paper, ink, and her own skilled hand. Far from being a readymade, this paper would have been handmade from cotton rags, its texture a direct result of the labour involved in production. The letter requests the inclusion of her flower painting in the Exhibition of Living Masters in Utrecht, also stating its price. In this light, her handwriting – elegant, careful, and legible – becomes a tool of professional presentation. Like a calling card, the very act of writing and the visual appearance of the text, were crucial to De Koningh's ability to participate in the art market. We might also consider the social and economic dimensions of her request. How many attempts did she make before completing this one, which would present her in the best light? How did the cost of materials influence her practice? This letter, in its quiet way, reminds us that artmaking is always a negotiation between material conditions and artistic aspiration.