Kwitantie voor Willem Roelofs (I) Possibly 1863 - 1866

This receipt, made by Willem Roelofs in 1863, is done with pen and ink on paper. A seemingly simple document, it actually offers a fascinating look into the business side of art in the 19th century. The material itself – humble paper and ink – belies the economic transaction it represents: payment for a work of art. The elegant script, penned with a practiced hand, speaks to the artist's professionalism and the value placed on such skills at the time. It's a reminder that even seemingly ephemeral documents were carefully crafted. The precise amounts and names listed on the page also suggest the development of the art market at the time. The receipt shows how Roelofs, and the art dealer, were navigating the flow of money around the art world. By looking closely at this receipt, we recognize the economic system that frames artistic production. It challenges our notions of artistic genius and allows us to think about art as work.