Brief aan Andries Bonger Possibly 1899

This letter was written in 1899 by the French artist Emile Bernard to his friend Andries Bonger. Its immediate presence resides in the directness of the handwriting, which is rendered in iron gall ink – a common writing material at the time – applied to paper. The choice of such accessible materials speaks volumes. In contrast to the formal pronouncements of academic painting, here is a message conveyed in the most economical manner possible. There’s an immediacy to the text, betraying the intimacy between the two correspondents and offering us a glimpse into their world. This wasn’t merely a means to an end. The physical act of writing carries its own significance, and its survival through time gives a sense of the relationship between the artist and his social circle. The letter is also a testament to the value of personal correspondence, inviting us to consider the social conditions of artistic production and reception, and the role of informal networks in shaping artistic careers.