Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1917 - 1921

Curator: Here we have "Brief aan Jan Veth," or "Letter to Jan Veth," a pen and ink drawing on paper, made sometime between 1917 and 1921 by Willem Witsen. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. My initial impression is one of intimacy. The writing seems hurried but full of…what’s the word, purpose? Editor: Indeed. The speed of execution and simple materiality are central here. Think of the paper itself—likely mass-produced—and the relative inexpensiveness of pen and ink in relation to, say, oil paints. Witsen chose the most direct means of communicating. Curator: A good point. This wasn't meant for public display. It feels almost intrusive to be examining someone's personal correspondence, wouldn't you say? It's as if we are eavesdropping on the artist’s thoughts. Editor: Perhaps, but consider the historical context. Witsen and Veth were both prominent figures in the Dutch art scene. This letter could easily have contained ideas debated amongst artistic circles. In fact, its survival suggests some awareness of its potential historical value. Curator: Hmm, I still feel that we lose so much with a medium like this. We don’t have brushstrokes to analyze; instead, we have handwriting which in itself offers a kind of read into someone's thoughts. How close or detached was the writer from their thoughts during the moment of writing? Editor: Precisely, Witsen opted for efficiency of information. Each pen stroke, each letter, contributes to the transmission of information. We might consider it the visual equivalent of labor: minimal flourish, maximum utility. Curator: In viewing the letter, one feels this quiet intensity which only grows as you ponder its journey across time. One thing this examination suggests to me is that a drawing doesn't necessarily need bold strokes or complex designs, but instead its value lies more so in its emotional weight! Editor: I’m interested in how our view shifts when we realize that even personal exchanges, especially those of public figures, involve processes of labor and production. Witsen crafted not only a message, but an artifact worthy of preservation.