Brief aan C.C. Delprat Possibly 1922 - 1924

Curator: This is "Brief aan C.C. Delprat" by Jan Veth, possibly created between 1922 and 1924. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The medium is ink on paper—a simple yet intimate choice. What strikes you about it? Editor: There's a palpable sense of immediacy, almost as if you've just stumbled upon a private correspondence. The handwriting, the slight imperfections...it feels very personal, immediate, a real window into a moment. Curator: Precisely. Veth, known for his portraits and involvement in the Dutch art scene, chooses here to share his thoughts through the very personal medium of a handwritten letter. Considering the date, this form of communication itself speaks to the social context. No emails here! Editor: Right, no digital filter. It seems almost nostalgic for us. Tell me more about the recipient and how this fits into the broader social history of art and artist networks. Curator: C.C. Delprat was, as the letter suggests, likely a close associate, maybe even a confidant, considering the casual tone. What we can consider through an intersectional lens is how correspondence like this shapes the narrative of artistic collaboration and intellectual exchange. It unveils relationships often overshadowed by the final artwork. Editor: The “intimism” tag feels incredibly apt here, even beyond the visual characteristics. You are really given a sense of eavesdropping. The content itself feels almost secondary to the *act* of intimate sharing. Curator: Yes, Veth's careful rendering of this brief personal communication acts like a symbolic gesture of solidarity between two colleagues and provides insight into his role within that framework of a very particular elite intellectual circle in the Netherlands during that period. Editor: It's a fascinating reminder that art exists within social and interpersonal relationships. Looking closer reveals more layers beyond just medium and date. Thanks to Veth, we have access to consider art beyond only galleries or collections. Curator: It truly does invite us to consider the narratives intertwined within art history that challenge more traditional views of art production. It allows us a look behind the scenes, so to speak, Editor: Exactly, it emphasizes the web of interactions. Curator: Absolutely. A simple letter transforms into something much more potent with scrutiny.