Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1867

This is a letter written by Jozef Israëls, likely in the late 19th century, to the art dealership Frans Buffa and Sons. Israëls was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who reacted against the dominant academic style of the time. They chose to paint landscapes and scenes of everyday life, often focusing on the working class and rural poor. The Hague School can be understood as part of a broader European movement towards realism in art. In France, for example, artists like Courbet and Millet were also depicting the lives of ordinary people. This turn to realism in art reflected the social and political changes that were taking place in Europe at the time, such as the rise of industrialization and the growth of socialist movements. Letters like this one offer a valuable glimpse into the art market and the relationship between artists and dealers. They provide scholars with insights into the social and economic conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands. Examining exhibition records, collectors' correspondence, and other primary sources helps us better understand the institutional context of Israëls's work.