Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1862 - 1863

This is a letter by David Bles, written in 1862. The letter is addressed to Frans Buffa and Zonen, an art dealership in Amsterdam. Bles' letter provides a glimpse into the commercial art world of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. The content of the letter seems to concern the placement or replacement of a drawing, perhaps in relation to a commission, an exhibition, or a sale mediated by Buffa and Zonen. The Rijksmuseum's acquisition of this letter underscores the importance of archival material in understanding the history of art. Such documents shed light on the economic structures, social networks, and institutional relationships that shape artistic production. Further research into the correspondence of artists and dealers, along with institutional records, would offer a richer account of the art world during Bles' time. This letter serves as a reminder that art history is always contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which art is made, circulated, and received.