Letter to Theo Hanon, from Rops, signed Fély

Art Historical Context

This intriguing piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Drawings and Prints collection is a personal letter written by Belgian artist Félicien Rops to Theo Hanon. Titled “Letter to Theo Hanon, from Rops, signed Fély,” the work is executed in pen and brown and black ink across two sheets whose dimensions suggest it may have been folded or composed in sections. The informal signature hints at a close or playful relationship between the correspondents. As a drawing rather than a purely textual document, the letter exemplifies how Rops used the fluid possibilities of ink to blend writing and imagery. The tags noting “Correspondence” and “Men” underscore its role as an intimate exchange, offering visitors a glimpse into the artist’s private world. Such epistolary works were common among 19th-century artists, serving both as communication and creative outlet. Acquired by the museum in 1981 as a gift from Dana Broccoli, the piece enriches the Met’s holdings by preserving the spontaneous, human side of an accomplished draftsman. Its modest scale and direct medium invite viewers to appreciate the artistry found in everyday correspondence.

About the Artist

Félicien Rops · 1833–1898

Félicien Rops, born Félicien Victor Joseph Rops on July 7, 1833, in Namur, Belgium, to a prosperous textile manufacturing family, displayed prodigious artistic talent from youth. The only child of Nicholas Rops and Sophie Maubile, he received private tutoring until age ten, followed by education at a Jesuit school in Namur (1843–1848), the Athénée Royal de Namur, and the Academy of Fine Arts there...