Kwitantie voor Isaac Weissenbruch Possibly 1863

This receipt was made in Amsterdam on October 30, 1863, by Frans Buffa en Zonen for Isaac Weissenbruch. It is made of paper, and written in ink, which are commonplace materials. Yet, in their coming together, the artwork speaks volumes about the relationship between art, commerce, and everyday life in the 19th century. The script, fluid and elegant, hints at the artist's hand and the importance of skilled labor. Every stroke of the pen conveys a sense of care and craftsmanship. The act of writing transforms the mundane into something precious. While seemingly a humble document, the receipt embodies the broader social and economic structures of its time. It also shows how artistic value was intertwined with financial transactions. This receipt, therefore, challenges our notions of what constitutes art, urging us to consider the materials, processes, and contexts that shape our understanding.