Brief aan Pieter Verloren van Themaat Possibly 1861 - 1868

This handwritten letter to Pieter Verloren van Themaat was composed in Haarlem in 1861 by Jan van der Waarden. During the 19th century, letter writing served not only as a means of communication but also as a reflection of one's social standing and personal expression. Van der Waarden, active in the mid-19th century, would have experienced the social and political tensions of the time. His letters, like this one, were a vehicle for maintaining connections and conducting business, as suggested by the discussion of art exhibitions and personal matters. The very act of writing—the penmanship, the choice of words, the stationery—spoke volumes about the writer’s identity, education, and values. In this letter we gain insights into the cultural exchanges and artistic activities that were part of Van der Waarden's world. Reflecting on this letter, we can consider the intimacy and formality of correspondence in an era markedly different from our own, and contemplate the layers of identity and relationship embedded in its script.