Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1859

This letter was written in French by Jaroslav Cermak on June 12, 1859, to Ary Johannes Lamme. In it, Cermak expresses his gratitude for Lamme's having favourably displayed two of his works and offers a sketch of an upcoming painting as a token of appreciation. As a Czech artist trained in the Dusseldorf school, Cermak often used his art to express solidarity with other oppressed nations, such as the Montenegrins. His paintings offered visual commentary on the social structures of the time, reflecting progressive ideas about national and cultural identity. Letters such as this offer an important insight into the art world of 19th-century Europe, and the social networks that enabled artists to produce and exhibit their works. Examining historical sources like letters, exhibition records, and critical reviews helps us understand the complex social and institutional contexts that shaped artistic production and reception.