Brief aan de commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Utrecht Possibly 1848

This is a letter, written in 1848 in Amsterdam, by Johan Diderik Cornelis Veltens. It is addressed to the committee of the Exhibition of Living Masters in Utrecht. Veltens takes the liberty of offering two pieces for consideration, both depicting ‘Staffage with sailing ships’. The listed price is 35 guilders per piece, though Veltens indicates a willingness to negotiate. The letter provides a glimpse into the economic realities faced by artists seeking recognition and patronage in the mid-19th century Netherlands. The Exhibition of Living Masters was an important institution in the Dutch art world, providing a platform for contemporary artists to showcase their work. Letters like this offer insight into the relationship between artists and institutions. By researching exhibition records and artist correspondence, we can understand the social and economic dynamics that shaped artistic careers at the time. Art history is not just about the finished product, but also the complex web of social relations that bring art into being.