Brief aan Pieter Verloren van Themaat Possibly 1866

Editor: This is “Brief aan Pieter Verloren van Themaat,” potentially from 1866, created with pen and ink on paper by Jacobus Hermanus Otterbeek. The letter itself has such a formal, almost stylized feeling, very poised. How do you read it? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the power embedded in these commonplace symbols: handwriting, stationery, and letter format. It’s a script designed to perform deference, note the flourishes and elegant looping. The date is clearly stated, so this letter also speaks to the psychological weight of capturing and preserving a moment in time, lending significance. Editor: Deference and temporality, interesting… The penmanship definitely seems part of a performance. Curator: Exactly! Think about how handwriting uniquely represents an individual, their personality made manifest. Otterbeek painstakingly forming each letter demonstrates commitment to a relationship, creating intimacy through the slowness of the hand. Also consider that each letter is meticulously drafted on a ruled grid which offers the sense of security and calm, but equally, formality and societal norms. Do you get that impression? Editor: I do. I hadn't thought about how much care would go into crafting the letter, a whole different pace than today's communication. The script and the act of sending carry so much cultural weight. Curator: Precisely, in our contemporary culture, what symbols do we now use to show value and respect for one another through writing? Editor: That is fascinating, I’m going to be thinking about that all day! Thank you.