Brief aan Antoon Derkinderen 1874 - 1925

This is a letter to Antoon Derkinderen by Jan Veth, undated, but likely produced in the Netherlands sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The text and its presentation open a window onto the intellectual life of the Dutch art world at that time. Veth was a writer, critic, poet and artist. He was also a committed socialist who believed in the power of art to speak truth to power. Considering this context, it is interesting to note that Veth has penned the letter in a carefully calligraphic hand with disciplined attention to the layout of the page. Letters like this are important resources for art historians. They can tell us about the relationships between artists, the ideas they were grappling with, and the social and political context in which they were working. In this case, the letter provides insight into the mind of an artist deeply engaged with the social issues of his time. It's a reminder that the meaning of art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is made and received.