Brief aan Burgemeester en Wethouders 1911 - 1917

This letter to the Mayor and Aldermen was written in Amsterdam in July 1911 by August Allebé. It's a real moment in time, captured in ink on paper. Imagine the artist sitting at their desk, pen in hand, carefully forming each word. Maybe they paused, considering how best to phrase their thoughts. You get a sense of deliberation, a dance between mind and hand. The act of writing itself becomes a kind of performance. Allebé was probably thinking about his health and his need to decline the invitation to sit on the honorary committee. It's a little like when artists politely nod to each other's work, acknowledging the shared creative journey. The letter is a reminder of the small, human moments that shape an artist's life and practice. We can feel the energy, the intention, the presence of the artist in the room. It's a great reminder that art is often an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.