Brief aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk 1899

This is a letter written in 1899 from Judith Cladel to Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk. Cladel was a French writer known for her biography of Auguste Rodin. The letter provides a glimpse into the social and artistic circles of the late 19th century. It details plans for a meeting in The Hague with Rodin. It hints at a world where travel and art were intertwined, where personal connections and intellectual exchanges shaped artistic careers. As a woman in the late 19th century, Cladel occupied a unique position. While limited by societal expectations, she navigated the male-dominated art world through her writing and personal relationships with prominent artists like Rodin. Cladel's account offers a personal, intimate perspective on the life and work of Rodin. She defied traditional roles, carving out a space for herself as a biographer and commentator on the artistic avant-garde. This letter allows us to consider the networks of friendship and collaboration that fueled the artistic innovation of the time.