Briefkaart aan Joannis Gerardi de Groot Jamin jr. Possibly 1881 - 1889

This is a letter, penned in 1881 by David Bles, a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, to Joannis Gerardi de Groot Jamin. The most striking symbol here is the very act of handwriting itself. Consider how handwriting, like a fingerprint, carries the unique essence of the individual. In a world increasingly dominated by print, the handwritten word becomes a powerful gesture—a direct link between minds and hearts. Think of the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period, where each letter was lovingly crafted. Or consider the Renaissance, where the revival of classical scripts marked a return to humanistic values. Yet, beyond its aesthetic qualities, handwriting delves into the psychoanalytic realm. The curves and angles of each letter reveal the writer’s emotional state, their subconscious desires and anxieties. Handwriting becomes a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human psyche. The simple letter embodies a profound connection to our shared cultural memory. It is a reminder of the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing and evolving through history.