Brief van Jan Bulthuis waarin hij twee schetsen ter keuze aanbiedt, 1795 1795

This is a letter from Jan Bulthuis, written in 1795, offering two sketches for consideration. Made on paper with ink, it's more than just a note; it's a snapshot of artistic and social dynamics in the Dutch Republic during a period of upheaval. Bulthuis addresses the recipient as "Burger Representant," a term reflecting the revolutionary spirit of the time, influenced by the French Revolution. The letter itself becomes a political document. The artist presents his work not to a patron, but to a "citizen representative" suggesting a shift in power and artistic patronage towards a more republican ideal. To understand this letter fully, one would delve into the archives of the Batavian Republic. We would research the artistic networks and political affiliations of Bulthuis, examining how artists navigated the changing landscape of patronage and political ideology. The meaning of art in this period was contingent on these social and institutional contexts.