Brief aan Anna Dorothea Dirks 1873 - 1918

This is "Brief aan Anna Dorothea Dirks," a letter by Wally Moes, a Dutch artist born in 1856. Moes, who remained unmarried, experienced exclusion from the established art world. Denied access to art academies that were reserved for men, she had to rely on private lessons. Her identity as a woman shaped her career and artistic expression. This letter offers an intimate glimpse into Moes's life and relationships. Written in Dutch, it reveals her personal thoughts and feelings as a woman navigating a patriarchal society. The handwritten script itself becomes a poignant expression of Moes's inner world, reflecting both her individuality and the social constraints she faced. The letter, beyond its immediate context, invites us to reflect on the historical struggles of women artists, as well as the emotional and personal dimensions of creativity.