Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1909

Here’s a letter written by Jan Toorop to Jan Veth, dating from 1917. Just imagine Toorop sitting down, pen in hand, the nib scratching across the paper as he composes his thoughts. The script is tight, controlled, each word carefully formed. You can feel the weight of each stroke, the deliberate act of communication. It reminds me of other artists who wrote extensively – Delacroix, van Gogh – their letters becoming extensions of their art practice. What was he thinking as he wrote this note? What was the relationship between these two men? Perhaps it was an exchange of ideas, a critique, or even a simple hello. There's a rhythm to the composition that's not unlike the process of painting itself, where each stroke builds upon the last, creating something new and unexpected. And isn't that what art is all about? Artists speak to each other across time, inspiring each other, engaging in a never-ending conversation. It’s a way of understanding the world, ourselves, and our place in it.