Brief aan anoniem 1838 - 1903

This letter, "Brief aan anoniem," was written by Gerardus Willem van Dokkum, a Dutch artist who lived in the 19th century. The letter offers insight into the social constructs and power dynamics of the art world during that time. Van Dokkum, in his correspondence with an anonymous person, reveals the complexities of artistic creation and the artist's need for recognition. He expresses that he is a painter who exists by virtue of painting portraits. The act of writing itself becomes a performance of identity, a negotiation between the artist's self-perception and the expectations of society. The need to appeal to an anonymous figure reflects the artist's dependency on the patronage system and the societal structures that defined success. In the end, the letter’s vulnerability reminds us of the deeply personal nature of artistic creation and the universal desire for acceptance, all while underscoring the social structures that shape the art world.