Kwitantie voor Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1885

Willem Maris created this receipt for Frans Buffa en Zonen in Amsterdam, likely around 1885. It documents payment for a painting, offering a glimpse into the financial transactions that supported artists and the art market during this period. The receipt itself, handwritten and stamped, speaks to the formal and economic relationships between artists and dealers. Maris, who came from an artistic family, was part of a generation navigating the art world's evolving structures. The exchange of money for art underscores the complex intersection of artistic creation and commerce, a dynamic that continues to shape the art world today. While seemingly a mundane document, it highlights the artist's position within a specific economic framework, and prompts us to consider the value placed on artistic labor and creativity. The receipt evokes questions about the livelihoods of artists, the role of patronage, and the commodification of art.