Brief aan Sjoerd Kuperus Possibly 1941 - 1949

Curator: Looking at “Brief aan Sjoerd Kuperus” from, we believe, between 1941 and 1949 by Jac. P. Thijsse, a fascinating document composed in ink on paper. What strikes you initially about this work? Editor: The intimacy! It feels so personal, like catching a glimpse of a private moment, a fleeting thought put down on paper with a sense of urgency, the calligraphy has so much movement! There is even an identifiable address right up on the upper-left. What else is there that you may know about this correspondence? Curator: Indeed. Thijsse was very active, so the letters were an efficient mode of communications for such men. The content also adds layers: beyond the elegant script, it is addressed to Mr. Kuperus with meeting schedules or illustrations in the letters; it gives clues about artistic collaborations, publication strategies, and the labor needed for these interactions! Editor: I find that idea quite interesting. This makes me think, letters as little artworks on their own terms, with an innate sense of flow and purpose. One’s choice of wording becomes very impactful! In other words, would you agree that there's something deeply evocative about seeing handwritten communication? The swirls and slopes in the ink on paper...it transcends mere information! Curator: Absolutely. It's about capturing a mood and moment, the feel and socio-politics behind personal encounters that influenced public discourse at a grander level. Think about it: paper availability, literacy, and artistic preferences dictated its circulation! The letter itself may have become a prized artifact over time to someone's legacy and historical impact! Editor: Considering that, this work transcends the material! As this reminds us about the power that artifacts retain... Curator: Agreed, prompting us to reconsider what makes historical narrative from seemingly plain materials!