Brief aan jonkheer H.P.F. Hooft, secretaris van de commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Den Haag Possibly 1843 - 1844

This is a letter from 1843 by Petrus van Schendel to jonkheer H.P.F. Hooft, secretary of the commission of the Exhibition of Living Masters in The Hague. Van Schendel, a 19th-century Dutch-Belgian painter known for his nocturnal scenes, writes to propose paintings for an exhibition. His words provide insight into the art world of his time. He references his paintings by size, subject, and price. One, a market scene illuminated by candlelight, is offered for two thousand guilders. Another is a fish market illuminated by candlelight. His reference to candlelight suggests an interest in the aesthetic and emotional qualities of light. He also writes of a portrait of a woman. We sense an artist concerned with how his work will be received, fretting over whether it looks enough like the sitter. It is a personal appeal, an artist seeking recognition and success in a competitive art world.