The Love Letter

Willem Bartel van der Kooi, 1808

Dutch artists of the 19th century drew inspiration from the 17th century, the Golden Age of Dutch art. In this picture, Van der Kooi reprised a typically 17th-century theme, the delivery of a love letter. The tension between the lady and the young messenger is almost palpable. Yet The Love Letter is also highly contemporary, for the interior, hairstyles and clothing are entirely in keeping with the fashions of 1808.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-1064
  • Dimensionsheight 131 cm x width 108 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on canvas

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Willem Bartel van der Kooi, 1809

Adriaen Pieter Twent (1745-1816), Count of Rosenburg, Minister of Inland Waters, Minister of the Interior and Chamberlain to King Louis Napoleon

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Willem Bartel van der Kooi, 1811

Jan (Baptist) Kobell II (1778-1814), Painter, in the Uniform of a Member of the Royal Institute of Science, Literature and the Fine Arts

Portret van Willem I

Willem Bartel van der Kooi, 1778 - 1836

Portret van Willem I

Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Love Letter

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-1064

  • Description

    De minnebrief. Een jonge bediende overhandigt een verzegelde brief aan een zittend jonge vrouw. Rechts een tafel waarop een boek ligt. Op de achtergrond een zuil en gordijn.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • motto: ‘Tu veteres Caesar Revocas Artes, Horatius’
    • signature, date and inscription: ‘W.B. van der Kooy pinxit 1808’

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Willem Bartel van der Kooi

  • Dating

    1808

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on canvas

  • Dimensions

    height 131 cm x width 108 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift of H. van der Kooi, Leeuwarden

  • Acquisition

    gift 1869

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

    • E.Bergvelt, 'Lodewijk Napoleon, de levende meesters en het Koninklijk Museum (1806-1810)', Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek 56/57 (2005/2006), p. 275, afb. 11.
    • E. Bergvelt, 'Nationale, levende en 19e-eeuwse meesters : Rijksmusea en eigentijdse kunst (1800-1848), Nederlands Kunsthistorische Jaarboek 35 (1984), p. 88, afb. 7.
    • A.M.E.L. Hoogenboom, 'Het Musée Imaginaire van de negentiende eeuw : VIII Willem Bartel van der Kooi, De Minnebrief', De Negentiende Eeuw 16 (1992), p. 86-87.

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