Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1872

This is a letter penned by Gerardina Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen in the 19th century. Born in the Netherlands in 1826, Van de Sande Bakhuyzen navigated the art world at a time when women's access to professional artistic training and recognition was limited. This letter offers insight into the economic realities faced by artists, particularly women, as they sought to negotiate fair compensation for their work. We see her advocating for appropriate payment, hoping her 'blijdschap' or happiness, might increase through a fair deal. The emotional weight of financial stability intertwines with her artistic practice. The act of writing itself becomes a form of self-assertion. Van de Sande Bakhuyzen’s letter testifies to the complex negotiation of identity, artistry, and economic survival in a society marked by gender inequality. It’s a poignant reminder of the labor and resilience required to sustain a creative life, particularly for women artists of the time.