Brief aan Etha Fles Possibly 1891 - 1899

Editor: Here we have "Brief aan Etha Fles," which translates to "Letter to Etha Fles," a drawing in ink on paper by Jan Veth, likely from the 1890s. What strikes me is the intimacy of seeing someone's handwritten thoughts. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a window into the intellectual climate of the late 19th century, particularly the debates surrounding Romanticism. Veth appears to be grappling with the very definition of the term. This struggle for definition is crucial. Consider how Romanticism, as a movement, challenged Enlightenment ideals of rationality and order. Editor: So, you're saying the letter isn't just a personal note; it's part of a larger cultural conversation? Curator: Precisely. Veth’s personal reflection connects to the broader discourse around artistic identity. This era was fraught with anxieties about artistic authenticity. Is Veth seeking to understand his place within this evolving definition, or even challenge it? Who has the power to define what is, and is not, Romantic? Editor: I never thought about it that way. I was just focused on the aesthetic of the handwriting. Curator: The handwriting itself reinforces that sense of intimacy, but also, isn't it a performance? Calligraphy itself has historically been tied to class, education and gender, consider that the recipient of this note would certainly recognize those clues from the script. Even this 'personal' letter exists within systems of power and representation. What did you expect to find when first looking at the document, compared to now? Editor: I guess I was initially drawn to the Romantic feel but am now thinking about the power of language and definition. Curator: And perhaps also who gets included and excluded in the creation and scholarship of Romanticism, no?