Brief aan Héloïse Bernard-Bodin 1878 - 1941

This is a letter written by Émile Bernard to Héloïse Bernard-Bodin, dating from 1899 to 1900, penned with ink on paper. A humble material, paper has nonetheless been a crucial carrier of aesthetic ideas. Bernard's choice of a handwritten format speaks volumes. The labor involved is both physical and intellectual; the repetitive movement of the hand across the page and the careful crafting of each word. There's an intimacy, a sense of personal connection, inherent in handwriting that is lost in other forms of communication. It’s not just about conveying information, but about forging a direct link between the writer and the recipient. Considering the broader social context, the act of letter-writing was a primary means of communication, predating instant digital messaging. The physical letter becomes a repository of shared emotions, experiences, and intellectual exchanges, quite distinct from other creative practices in fine art. By appreciating the artistic and social importance of this seemingly simple letter, we challenge traditional assumptions about what constitutes art.