Brief aan Neeltje van Eeden-van Warmelo Possibly 1888

This letter, written in 1888 by Jan Veth, gives us a glimpse into the social world of artists in the Netherlands at the time. Veth was a painter, printmaker, poet and art critic. He writes here to Neeltje van Eeden-van Warmelo, likely seeking her opinion. The letter reveals the inner workings of the art market, referencing payments for portraits and discussing the artistic integrity of portraiture. We can see the relationship between artists, patrons, and critics, and get a sense of the economic realities that shaped artistic production at the time. The letter also hints at the aesthetic debates of the era, particularly around the purpose and value of portraiture. To fully understand this letter, it would be helpful to research the biographies of both Veth and van Eeden-van Warmelo. What were their social networks? What were their artistic and political beliefs? Exploring these questions would further illuminate the social context of this fascinating document.