Brief aan Jan van Wely Possibly 1605

Curator: This is "Brief aan Jan van Wely," or "Letter to Jan van Wely," possibly from 1605, by Hendrick Goltzius. It's an ink drawing on paper, housed in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It has such a personal, intimate feeling. Seeing this letter, with that delicate profile sketch, makes me feel like I’m intruding on something private. How does the context of this piece change our understanding of Goltzius as an artist? Curator: Well, seeing a piece like this shifts how we view Goltzius's position in society and how he related to his peers. While he was known for his polished engravings and idealized figures, this drawing hints at a more informal network of artistic exchange and collaboration. It invites us to think about art-making as embedded in social practices. Who were these letters intended for, and what social functions did letters hold back then? Editor: Did artists often communicate with each other this way? Was this considered common practice for artistic dialogue and exchange? Curator: Yes, though the survival of these materials into the present day offers a fascinating insight into how artworks were valued and received during their creation. Think about the value that art letters had: did it give art works a certain prominence that wasn't apparent when created? In turn, would museums or other institutions be less likely to exhibit art based on those social relations? Editor: It’s so interesting to think about art history not just as the history of objects, but also of relationships and communication! This has changed the way I perceive it a bit! Curator: Agreed, it encourages us to rethink not only the creative practice, but also how artwork is preserved as well as its perception throughout generations.