Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1892 - 1899

This letter was written by Ferdinand Leenhoff to August Allebé. In the late 19th century, correspondence was an important means of communication, documenting personal relationships, artistic collaborations, and intellectual exchanges. Leenhoff, brother-in-law to Édouard Manet, addresses Allebé as ‘Director’ which hints at Allebé’s role as director of the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. The letter, penned in French, discusses personal matters during Leenhoff’s stay at Salins-les-Bains. His words evoke a sense of place, drawing the reader into his experiences of the local landscape. These details provide a snapshot of the social and cultural norms of the time, reflecting Leenhoff’s personal network and artistic sensibilities. The act of writing and preserving such letters underscores the value placed on personal connections and intellectual discourse, offering insights into the intimate spaces where art and life intersect.