Brief aan Jan Veth 1874 - 1925

This is a letter, written in Dutch, by Etha Fles to Jan Veth, dating from February 1901. It gives us a glimpse into the artistic circles of the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Letters like these were often the social media of their day, a way for artists and critics to share ideas, opinions, and news. They provide valuable insight into the cultural milieu in which art was made and interpreted, and the politics of imagery at the time. Fles discusses her views on Veth's work in the context of contemporary art criticism. She shares her thoughts on the reception of his work and on the role of art for children. To understand the context fully, we might research the biographies of Fles and Veth, the art criticism of the period, and the social history of the Netherlands. Only then can we fully appreciate the richness and complexity of this seemingly simple artifact.