Brief aan Andries Bonger before 1894

This is a letter in French, penned by Émile Bernard in 1895 to Andries Bonger. The correspondence between artists and their patrons or fellow artists provides a vital window into the social networks that shaped the art world of the time. Bernard and Bonger's relationship wasn’t just about art; it was a social connection. Written in France, the letter reveals the importance of personal relationships in artistic circles, with Bernard discussing topics from friendship to shared experiences. Thinkers like Pierre Bourdieu have shown how these social networks acted as systems that could determine who succeeded in the art world. To truly understand this letter, one would need to delve into the archives of artists' correspondence, examining exhibition records, and reading period publications. By understanding the circumstances in which art is made, we can appreciate its place in history and in culture.