Briefkaart aan Jan Veth 1891

This is a pre-printed postal card that was sent in 1891 by M.C. Lebret to Jan Veth. At first glance, this small piece of paper seems fairly unremarkable. But through social history, we can start to appreciate the political and cultural context of this correspondence. The Netherlands in the late 19th century was a society in flux. While industrialization was changing the economic landscape, the art world was also undergoing significant transformation. Artists were seeking new ways to express themselves and their relationship to the world around them. This card signifies a connection between two figures within that world. Veth was a well-known artist, critic, poet, and professor, so this card could represent a link between artistic circles. By examining archives and other historical documents, we can learn more about the nature of Lebret and Veth’s relationship. We can explore how they saw themselves fitting into the artistic and social landscape of their time. Through this correspondence, we can look at the bigger picture.