Visitekaartje aan Jan Veth by Max Liebermann

Possibly 1903

Visitekaartje aan Jan Veth

Max Liebermann's Profile Picture

Max Liebermann

1847 - 1935

Location

Rijksmuseum

Listen to curator's interpretation

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Curatorial notes

This is a business card to Jan Veth, created by Max Liebermann. It’s all handwriting, elegant, in a dark, almost charcoal-like ink. The letters are so carefully done, with a slight variation in thickness and pressure, it's like a dance across the card. You know, I always find the most seemingly casual marks can sometimes reveal the most about an artist’s thinking. The card itself has a slightly rough texture. Each stroke seems deliberate yet spontaneous, like a carefully choreographed improvisation. Look at the 'M' in Max. It's more than just a letter; it's a little abstract painting. This reminds me of Cy Twombly's scribbles, or even some of Hanne Darboven's systematic writing. There is a sense of time, and layering, even in a single business card, like art is always in conversation.