Brief aan Filippo Tessaro Possibly 1887

Editor: This is "Brief aan Filippo Tessaro," possibly from 1887, a pen and ink drawing on paper. The letterform creates an intriguing overall pattern on the page. It's difficult to discern the actual words, so my eye focuses on the repetition of strokes and the varied densities of the ink. What do you see in this piece from a formal perspective? Curator: Formally, I'm struck by the calligraphic structure of the writing itself. Note how the confident, flowing lines of the pen create a textural contrast against the rigid rectangle of the page. The work compels us to consider line weight, directionality, and the positive and negative spaces created by the inked strokes. Do you notice how the flourishes in the signature mirror elements within the letter itself? Editor: I do. They add a sense of movement. So you are drawn to how the materiality of the work is displayed rather than its intrinsic meaning. Curator: Precisely. The ink, the paper, the gesture of handwriting–these are the formal elements at play here. The handwriting also has a sense of privacy which is reflected by its visual style: almost impenetrable, giving off feelings of intrigue to those who can not read it. One could spend considerable time tracing the patterns and rhythms created. It's almost like a musical score for the eyes. Editor: That is quite intriguing, seeing it as music through a formalist lens, I had not considered that. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Close attention to the building blocks of visual language reveals endless possibilities.