Brief aan de commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Den Haag Possibly 1841 - 1844

This is a letter, in Dutch, to the committee of the Exhibition of Living Masters in The Hague, penned by Pierre Louis Dubourcq. It is undated, but was likely made in the mid-19th century. Letters like this provide a glimpse into the art world of the Netherlands at that time. The Exhibition of Living Masters was an important venue for artists to display and sell their work. Examining the archives of such institutions can tell us much about the institutional histories of art. The tone of the letter, the language used, and the very act of writing to the committee all speak to the social conventions governing artistic practice at the time. What were the criteria for acceptance into the exhibition? What kind of art was considered desirable? Was it difficult for artists to gain recognition and support? These are just some of the questions that this letter raises. By studying such documents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped artistic production and the role of institutions in shaping art history.