Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1830 - 1834

This letter to Ary Johannes Lamme was written by Karel-Hendrik Geerts and dates back to April 30, 1830. As a visual object, this letter embodies a specific history of communication. In its language and tone, it speaks to the social structures of its time, hinting at the dynamics of patronage and artistic networks. Addressed to the notable painter Ary Johannes Lamme, the letter subtly negotiates the dynamics of artistic recognition and support. The letter, written in French, seems to request Lamme’s attention for “Mr. Venotier”, so that he can give a "bonne affaire.” This act of referral suggests a system of social capital that artists navigated. The careful script and formal address reflect the norms of 19th-century correspondence, and the letter represents a world of interpersonal relationships. How might the act of physically writing and sending such a letter shape the exchange between these individuals? What are the emotional undertones present in this careful composition of words? Such objects act as portals to understanding the artistic community of the time.