Brief aan een tentoonstellingscommissie Possibly 1865

Curator: Here we have "Brief aan een tentoonstellingscommissie," which translates to "Letter to an Exhibition Committee," likely created around 1865 by Jan Lodewijk Jonxis. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum's collection. The piece uses ink on paper, demonstrating miniature calligraphy. Editor: My first thought? An invoice disguised as art! I love how delicate it looks, even with its very practical purpose, a subtle beauty to these mundane tasks. There’s a strange intimacy to seeing someone's handwriting from so long ago. Curator: Precisely! This is so much more than an invoice, of course. Consider calligraphy’s historical significance, particularly the elegant copperplate style, a script steeped in the cultural values of legibility and refined taste that were paramount at that time. Editor: And he's requesting what looks like 600 for "De Paardenmarkt"— "The Horse Market," probably a painting —and 400 for "Het Hondenest", a “Dog's Nest". Were dogs worth less than horses, even in art? Curator: That could be as much about relative size, perceived importance, or even labor involved. These weren’t casual sketches; they were considered investment pieces. In choosing a Horse Market scene versus, shall we say, a scene of a dog's nest might signify social aspirations reflected within a broader culture. The letter itself takes on ceremonial characteristics, acting as an extension of his cultural milieu, both intimate and historical. Editor: You know, seeing the price he assigned his paintings also makes him suddenly feel very human! Wonder if the committee thought he was being fair. There is a kind of quiet appeal. Almost like looking into a private conversation. Curator: Indeed, these documents invite speculation and help flesh out the character. By analyzing his penmanship—its flourishes and pressures—we tap into Jonxis’ psychological state and the broader attitudes towards art within his era. It prompts reflection on art history, the economics of artistic representation, and a cultural record contained in one note. Editor: Well, I will never look at an invoice the same way again, imagining now, like some strange symbol from a hidden history! Thanks! Curator: It highlights how everyday items reveal surprising stories when viewed through the lens of art.