Brief aan Adriaan van der Willigen Possibly 1813 - 1819

This is Willem Bartel van der Kooi’s letter to Adriaan van der Willigen, but its exact date is unknown. Van der Kooi, born in 1768, navigated the art world during a time of political and social upheaval in the Netherlands. In this personal correspondence, Van der Kooi references the work of Willem Herreyns, and discusses copies of Herreyns' paintings, specifically mentioning one depicting the "Flight of Joseph with Maria and Christus to Egypt." The themes of refuge and displacement resonate deeply, especially when considering the sociopolitical landscape of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, marked by wars and shifting national boundaries. His reference to his own collection of copies, and his acquaintance with "Ploegsma", likely a female artist or collector, offers a glimpse into the more intimate networks through which art was circulated and appreciated. The letter is more than just a transactional note, it is a piece of a conversation reflecting shared artistic values and personal connections.