Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1892 - 1896

This letter to Jan Veth was penned in 1892 by George Hendrik Breitner, offering a glimpse into the social networks that sustained artistic production in the Netherlands. Considered outside the frame here, the contents of the letter are fascinating because they reflect the artist's role in society. Breitner talks about his work and references the artistic community. What could this tell us about the social conditions that shape artistic production? This letter suggests the importance of friendship and collegiality. To delve deeper, one might examine the correspondence of artists and the records of exhibitions. These resources can illuminate the social and institutional contexts that shaped the art of Breitner’s time, making art something that is contingent on its social setting.