Strijd tussen Dood en Natuur of Zege der Schilderkunst (deel 4) 1660

This page, titled "Strijd tussen Dood en Natuur of Zege der Schilderkunst (deel 4)," was made by Henrik Jordis, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The interplay between the blank page and the dense, uniform script creates a visual tension, inviting the viewer to consider the material presence of language itself. The use of dark ink on light paper emphasizes the contrast, turning the written word into a series of shapes and lines that command their own space. The script itself functions as a structure of signs. The rhythm and flow of the handwriting create a visual texture that echoes the thematic content of the text. The orderly script is offset by flourishes and idiosyncratic letterforms, suggesting a challenge to the rigidity of language. The overall effect destabilizes the traditional notion of the page as a mere carrier of information. Jordis turns the text into a visual field, thereby prompting us to reconsider how writing can engage with art and philosophy.