Brief aan Andries Bonger Possibly 1928

This is a letter written to Andries Bonger by Maurice Fromkes, likely with ink on paper; a casual snapshot of correspondence between friends. Look at the way Fromkes’ handwriting swoops and dives across the page! The ink varies in darkness, a dance of pressure and release, like a painter layering glazes. The writing feels spontaneous, a direct channel from thought to paper, almost as if the words are spilling out in a rush. The letter is dated December 31st, 1928. Even that date is scrawled in the upper right hand corner, slightly detached from the main body, a kind of afterthought! It’s a gesture that suggests a life lived in the moment. I am reminded of Cy Twombly and his calligraphic scribbles. Both artists share an interest in the expressive potential of line, blurring the boundaries between writing and drawing. Fromkes' letter, like Twombly's paintings, invites us to slow down, to savor the texture of each mark. It's a reminder that art is not just about conveying information, but about capturing the feeling of being alive.