Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1886

This "Briefkaart aan Jan Veth" was created in 1886 by Willem Witsen using ink on paper. At first glance, it may appear to be simply an old postcard, but it opens a window into the social and artistic networks of the late 19th century Netherlands. Witsen, himself a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, sent this card to Jan Veth, an artist, critic, and intellectual deeply engaged in the cultural debates of the time. The postcard format itself speaks to a moment of increasing communication and connection. The image creates meaning through its handwriting. The address shows the intersection of artistic communities in the Netherlands. Laren was known as an artist colony. To truly understand this artwork, scholars might consult archives of artist correspondence, studies of Dutch art societies, and social histories of the Netherlands during this period. Art like this is contingent on such social and institutional contexts.