Brief aan Philip van der Kellen 1844 - 1848

This letter to Philip van der Kellen was penned in 1844 by Johan Christiaan Willem Safft. The Dutch calligrapher and medalist itemizes a record of silver and bronze medals. Safft lived through the tumult of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, witnessing both the waning years of the Dutch Republic and the rise of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. His work reflected a society undergoing significant political and social transformations; these medals were likely commissioned to commemorate significant figures or events, a common practice of the time. The act of meticulously documenting these medals speaks to the social and economic systems of exchange, where artists navigated the complexities of patronage and commerce. Safft’s letter embodies a world where artistic value and monetary exchange were deeply intertwined. It serves as a poignant reminder of the artist's position within the societal framework, as well as the intimate, human aspect of artistic creation.