Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is a letter to Frans Buffa en Zonen, written by Wally Moes, most likely during the late 19th or early 20th century. It's not crafted from precious materials, but rather, everyday paper and ink, the kind used for correspondence at the time. The material itself speaks volumes; paper was becoming increasingly accessible due to industrial production, facilitating communication across distances and social strata. The handwritten text connects us directly to Moes's hand, a tangible link to the artist's labor and intentions. Each stroke of the pen carries a trace of her personality and the circumstances of her work. The letter details a transaction, referencing the sale of artworks and their dimensions. It gives insight into the commercial side of artmaking, a reminder that artists, even those celebrated today, often relied on the market for their livelihood. This humble piece of paper, inscribed with ink, is more than just a document; it's a window into the material conditions of artistic production, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.
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