Brief aan Françoise W.M. Bonger Possibly 1952

This letter, written in 1952 by Sven Sandström to Françoise W.M. Bonger, offers a glimpse into the social networks that supported the study and appreciation of art at that time. Addressed to the Baroness van der Borch van Verwolde, Sandström, a researcher, politely requests her assistance with his dissertation on Odilon Redon. Sandström hopes the Baroness will share a list of Redon's paintings and drawings in her collection, and information about their dates. He acknowledges the difficulty of gathering such details, appealing to her interest in Redon. The letter highlights how personal connections and private collections were crucial to art historical research. Sandström’s respectful tone reflects the social norms of the time, while his request reveals the collaborative nature of scholarship and the importance of individual patronage in preserving and understanding artistic legacies.