Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1911

This is a handwritten letter, dated October 20th, 1911, from jonkheer Barthold Willem Floris van Riemsdijk to August Allebé, a prominent Dutch painter of the 19th and 20th centuries. The letter contains inquiries and commentary regarding the activities of the Dutch Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, particularly concerning the acceptance of new members. Van Riemsdijk, a collector and art enthusiast, seems to be inquiring about the processes and criteria for being admitted to the esteemed institution, reflecting the importance and influence of the Academy in Dutch artistic circles during the period. This letter, housed in the Rijksmuseum, sheds light on the dynamics of artistic society and the interplay between artists, collectors, and academic institutions in the early 20th century.