Brief aan anoniem Possibly 1841 - 1846

This letter was written by Petrus Johannes Schotel in 1864. It is ink on paper, humble materials for such a personal form of communication. The act of handwriting itself gives this letter its impact. Notice the varying pressure of the nib on the page, the way the ink bleeds slightly into the paper's fibers, and the flourishes of the signature. Each stroke reveals the writer's hand, turning a simple message into an intimate and irreproducible gesture. This letter is a reminder that before mass-produced print and digital communication, handwriting was the primary way to connect across distances. The labor involved—the time, skill, and physical effort—underscores the value placed on such connections. It invites us to consider the social context in which handwriting was not just a skill, but a craft, imbued with personal meaning. Examining this letter closely, we can see how materials, making, and context intertwine to shape our understanding of the past. It challenges us to appreciate the artistry and effort behind even the most everyday forms of communication.