Kwitantie voor Willem Bastiaan Tholen Possibly 1889

This is a receipt, made by Frans Buffa en Zonen in 1889, likely with paper, ink, and a rubber stamp. It acknowledges payment from Willem Bastiaan Tholen for three watercolors. Now, you might not immediately think of a receipt as a work of art, but consider the precision of the cursive script, and the printed elements as well. These were highly valued skills, requiring years of practice to master. It is also a direct artifact of artistic labour; this piece of paper represents the exchange of money for art. The amount, 350 gulden, would have been a considerable sum at the time, underscoring the value placed on Tholen's paintings. The receipt serves as a tangible record of a transaction, reminding us that art exists within a system of commerce and patronage. Even a humble document like this reflects wider social issues of labor, value, and consumption. It bridges the perceived gap between the art world and everyday economic realities.