Brief aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk 1877 - 1915

This is a letter from Henri-Gabriel Ibels to Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk, penned with ink on paper. While undated, its contents and Ibels’ life offer us a glimpse into the late 19th-century art world. Ibels, a Swiss-French artist, was deeply embedded in the Parisian avant-garde. The letter, written in elegant French, reveals a web of travel between Paris, Rotterdam, Brussels and the Hague. He talks of conferences and exhibitions, hinting at the life of an artist navigating the currents of the European art scene. What strikes me is the intimacy of this correspondence. It's a personal record, yet it speaks volumes about the interconnectedness of artists and intellectuals across borders. Ibels, like many artists of his time, forged his identity through movement and exchange, contributing to a broader, shared European culture. The letter is a testament to the enduring power of human connection.