Briefkaart aan Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1875

This is a postcard to Frans Buffa and Sons, made by Mari ten Kate sometime in the late 19th century. It provides a fascinating insight into the art world of the time and the networks that sustained it. In the late 1800’s, the Buffa family were prominent art dealers in Amsterdam, part of a rising class of merchants who facilitated the circulation of art and shaped artistic taste. Ten Kate, who came from an artistic family, would have been part of this professional circle. What were the conversations they were having? What were the social dynamics at play as they shaped the art market? Consider the handwritten address, which speaks to a personal connection. The stamps, "Amsterdam" and "s Gravenhage," suggest a journey, hinting at the physical movement of art and ideas. These material details, combined with the flow of commerce, reflect the interconnectedness of the art world. The postcard connects us to the human relationships that propelled artistic creation and consumption.