Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1887 - 1888

Willem Bastiaan Tholen created this briefkaart or postcard to Jan Veth in 1887, with ink on paper. The Netherlands in the late 19th century saw the rise of a sophisticated postal system, and with it, new forms of social and professional exchange. This postcard, sent from Tholen to the artist and critic Jan Veth, offers a glimpse into the institutional networks that shaped the art world. The Rijksmuseum’s acquisition of this seemingly mundane object points to a growing interest in documenting the social and cultural contexts of art. The handwritten address, the stamp with the image of the dutch lion, and the postmarks all speak to the way the postal system was intertwined with national identity and the formation of artistic communities. The historian might look to archival sources, such as artist's letters and exhibition catalogues, to reconstruct the relationships between artists, critics, and institutions in this period. This piece shows us the real social networks through which reputations were made and artistic styles developed.