Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1892 - 1897

Curator: Here, we have "Brief aan Jan Veth" a letter by Jacoba Cornelia Jolles-Singels, dating from perhaps 1892 to 1897. It’s rendered in ink and pen, showcasing remarkable calligraphy. Editor: Yes, it does! The sheer amount of text and the controlled pressure of the penstrokes is impressive, almost meditative. What draws your eye when you look at it? Curator: I'm fascinated by the labor involved. Consider the repetitive action, the physicality of creating this intricate script. It speaks volumes about the value placed on handwritten communication, before mass production streamlined writing. Editor: I hadn't thought about that aspect. So the physical act of writing is as important as the content itself? Curator: Absolutely! Look at the way the artist has manipulated a mundane material - ink - through skilled practice, into something visually compelling. It challenges that artificial boundary between high art and craft that's so common. This wasn't about speed or efficiency; it's about dedication. How might its intended receiver interpret it, especially compared to a faster and perhaps impersonal printed document? Editor: It would seem more personal, more intimate... What else makes the handwriting “art”, rather than utilitarian text? Curator: It becomes art through its crafted quality, its visual rhythm, and the artist's intervention. She transforms a simple tool—pen and ink—into something expressive and visually arresting. It also gives insight into the cultural moment from which this object originated. Don’t you agree? Editor: Definitely! Focusing on the labor makes me consider all the choices—the ink, pen, paper, and even time—involved in its making. Curator: Exactly. By focusing on materiality, we can appreciate the letter not just for its message, but as a tangible record of skill, intention, and historical context.