Brief aan de commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Amsterdam Possibly 1810 - 1819

This is a letter written in 1810 by Wybrand Hendriks to the committee for the Exhibition of Living Masters in Amsterdam. Hendriks, a painter himself, appears to be submitting works for consideration. The very existence of this letter speaks volumes about the art world of the Netherlands in the early 19th century. Institutions like the Exhibition of Living Masters played a vital role in shaping artistic careers and defining what was considered "good" art. It was a juried show, so acceptance meant recognition and sales. We can almost feel the pressure Hendriks must have felt, hoping his submissions would meet their standards. To understand this letter fully, one might delve into the archives of the Rijksmuseum, explore catalogs from past exhibitions, and study the biographies of the committee members. Only then can we begin to appreciate the social dynamics at play and the subtle negotiations that shaped the art world of the time. This letter reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is deeply embedded in the institutions and social conditions of its time.