Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1867

This letter was written by Johannes Tavenraat, a 19th-century Dutch artist, to Ary Johannes Lamme. Though undated, its contents reveal a great deal about the social and institutional circumstances that shaped artistic production during the period. The letter discusses "de Parijsche wereldtentoonstelling," or the Paris World's Fair, which was held in 1867. Such fairs were important venues for artists to gain recognition and sell their work. Tavenraat writes about paintings intended for the exhibition, mentioning details such as their class, price, and even their possible placement. These details are indicative of the art world’s increasing commercialization. Institutions such as the Paris World’s Fair played a significant role in shaping artistic taste and establishing market value. Letters like this provide valuable insights into the economic realities faced by artists, and are a window into the institutional structures that supported and constrained their work. They remind us that art, even when seemingly removed from the world, is always embedded in social and economic relations.