Brief aan Jan Weissenbruch Possibly 1847

This is a letter to Jan Weissenbruch, penned by J. Wittering in Amsterdam, dated March 30, 1887. It’s a glimpse into a moment in time, capturing the personal exchange between two individuals within the cultural milieu of the late 19th century. Letters like these were vital for communication, especially for artists who often relied on networks of correspondence to share ideas, seek patronage, and engage in intellectual discourse. Weissenbruch, as a prominent figure in the Hague School, would have been deeply embedded in such networks. Wittering’s letter is a poignant reminder of the intimacy and intentionality of written correspondence before digital communications. It invites us to consider the labor involved in handwriting, the choice of words, and the physical act of sending and receiving messages. It embodies the spirit of human connection, offering a unique lens through which to understand the social fabric of the art world during this era.