Brief aan Jan Veth 1865 - 1925

This letter to Jan Veth, penned by Jac van Looij, offers a glimpse into the art world of its time. Crafted with ink on paper, a humble pairing, the material itself speaks of everyday correspondence. Yet, its contents elevate it beyond the mundane. The ink captures not just words, but also a sketch, a miniature landscape described in the text, complete with a shepherd and sheep. The very act of committing this image to paper, alongside details of sales and prices, reveals the intertwining of artistic creation and commerce. The letter hints at the labor involved in artistic exchange: the role of dealers, the negotiation of prices, and the artist's own efforts to market their work. It blurs the lines between personal communication, artistic practice, and the business of art, reminding us that even the most seemingly spontaneous creations are embedded within broader social and economic systems.