Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1886

This is a postcard to Jan Veth, sent by the artist Wally Moes, and postmarked 1886 in Germany. The postcard, seemingly a mundane artifact, offers a window into the social networks of artists and intellectuals in late 19th-century Europe. At this time, postcards were a relatively new technology, facilitating quick and casual communication across distances. This particular card, sent from Germany to Holland, underscores the interconnectedness of the European art world. We might ask, what role did these networks play in shaping artistic reputations and movements? Did Veth and Moes correspond often? Were they part of a larger circle of artists, critics, and patrons who shaped the art scene of the time? By tracing the paths of such objects, and researching the lives and connections of individuals like Veth and Moes, we can begin to understand the social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production and reception in the late 19th century.