Brief aan de commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Den Haag Possibly 1849

This letter to the Exhibition Committee of Living Masters in The Hague was written in 1849 by Martinus Gerardus Tetar van Elven. At first glance it may seem like a simple document, but its social context reveals a fascinating insight into the art world of the Netherlands. The letter provides a commentary on the norms of exhibition practice during the 19th century, and it reveals power dynamics within the art world. The references to perspective and geometric proportions suggest a concern for academic standards and the prevailing aesthetic values of the time. Van Elven seems anxious to align himself with establishment tastes. To fully understand this letter, it would be necessary to research the exhibition practices of the time, the composition of the Exhibition Committee, and the artistic and social networks in which Van Elven operated. By doing so, we can see how this letter reflects both the aspirations and anxieties of an artist navigating the institutional structures of the Dutch art world.