Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1918

This letter to Jan Veth was written in 1918 in Amsterdam by Alphons Diepenbrock. It's written in a cursive hand, full of loops and elegant flourishes that almost obscure the text itself. The marks are confident but not rushed, giving the impression of someone who knows their mind, but is still willing to let the thoughts flow onto the page. There is a real physicality to the pressure of the pen here, each word a delicate dance. See the way the tails of the 'g's and 'j's loop down, grounding the words. Thinking about this in relation to Diepenbrock's musical compositions, which are elaborate and layered, I can see some similarities in the density of the marks and the way the artist builds up the forms, allowing space for interpretation. I'm reminded of the work of Cy Twombly in this, even though the scale is obviously very different. It's interesting to think of the letter as a drawing, an intimate and personal space where thoughts and feelings can take shape. It’s a reminder that art is often a conversation, a call and response across time and between people.