Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1872

This letter to Frans Buffa en Zonen was written in 1872 by Pieter Stortenbeker. It's ink on paper, humble materials used for the everyday work of correspondence. Yet, a letter like this one offers an important lens through which to view the art world, connecting artists, dealers, and collectors in a web of commerce. Stortenbeker’s careful handwriting speaks to the value placed on these transactions. The pricing of artworks is listed with precision; these numbers reflect not only the perceived value of each artist's work, but also the labor, materials, and time invested in their creation. This kind of document helps us remember that art exists within a broader economic system. It's a reminder that the cultural value we assign to artworks is intertwined with questions of labor, market forces, and the often-unseen processes that bring art into the world. By looking at these elements, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic context that shapes our aesthetic experiences.