Brief aan Jan van de Velde (II) Possibly 1613 - 1627

Jan van de Velde the Elder created this letter to Jan van de Velde the Younger in 1613. The very act of writing, of preserving words on paper, transforms transient thoughts into enduring symbols, much like the creation of mythological archetypes. The letterform itself, carefully inscribed with a quill, becomes an icon, reminiscent of ancient scrolls bearing profound truths. Consider the evolution of script: from the sacred hieroglyphs of the Egyptians, each symbol representing cosmic forces, to the flowing cursive here, where personal sentiments are captured. The script, once a tool for divine communication, now conveys earthly concerns, yet echoes of the past linger. One might ponder, as the letter traverses time, how its meaning shifts, influenced by individual interpretations and collective memory. Like the enduring images of the past, this letter engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of our shared human experience and the enduring power of visual symbols across time.