Briefkaart aan Jan Veth before 1893

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent by Chap van Deventer to Jan Veth in 1897. Although seemingly mundane, such an object offers a glimpse into the artistic networks of the Netherlands at the close of the 19th century. Postcards emerged as a popular form of communication in the late 19th century, coinciding with increased literacy and the expansion of postal services. We can see the remnants of the postal system here, with its stamps and postmarks from Amsterdam and Bussum. The postcard format democratized image circulation, allowing for the rapid dissemination of visual information. They fostered a sense of shared culture and collective identity. Jan Veth, the recipient, was a prominent artist, critic, and art historian who engaged in debates about the role of art in society. Correspondence like this would have been part of the networks through which ideas circulated at the time. To understand the postcard's full significance, we might consult archival sources, biographical information, and historical studies of Dutch art and culture. Through these resources, the briefkaart becomes a valuable artifact for understanding the social world of art.