The amicable letter, Willem Bartel van der Kooi, 1808.
19th-century Dutch artists were inspired by the 17th century, the heyday of Dutch art. In this painting, Van der Kooi referred to a typical 17th-century theme: the handing over of a love letter. There is an almost tangible tension between the young lady and the little messenger. Yet De minnebrief is also very contemporary: interior, hairstyles and clothing are all from 1808.
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