Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1902 - 1918

This letter to August Allebé, penned by Annie Ermeling in 1902, speaks volumes beyond its immediate words. The act of writing itself, carefully forming each character on paper, is laden with cultural significance. Letters, throughout history, have served as conduits of emotion, knowledge, and power, transcending mere communication. Consider the epistolary form across time: from Cicero's eloquent letters, shaping Roman discourse, to the Renaissance epistles that fueled intellectual exchange. Here, in Ermeling’s hand, we see a continuation of this tradition. The gesture of sending a letter, laden with personal intent, echoes in ancient Roman votive offerings inscribed with prayers or gratitude. Like those offerings, Ermeling's letter carries her hopes and intentions. The act of handwriting, unique to the individual, imbues the message with a personal aura, engaging us on a subconscious level. It's a potent reminder of human connection, a thread that weaves through history, constantly evolving yet forever tethered to our shared past.