Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen 1849 - 1905

This letter to Frans Buffa en Zonen was composed by Ferdinand Carl Sierich using paper, and ink. We can see how the ink bleeds into the fibers of the paper, a handmade rag paper perhaps, giving a soft, almost ethereal quality to the handwriting. It speaks to a time when personal correspondence was a valued skill, and handwriting was an expression of character, not just a means of conveying information. Sierich would have used a dip pen, repeatedly inking the nib to maintain the flow of the writing. Note the flourishes of the signature, so different from our typing today. The letter is a direct link to Sierich's thoughts and feelings, an intimate connection to the past through the physical act of its creation. The labor of writing by hand, the personal touch of the sender, and the material qualities of the paper and ink all contribute to the letter's significance. By looking closely at these elements, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social context in which the artwork was made, as well as challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.