Brief aan Christiaan Immerzeel Possibly 1842

This letter, penned in Amsterdam on January 26, 1843, by Jacob de Vos Willemsz., presents us with a fascinating interplay of script and symbol. The very act of writing, of committing thoughts to paper, carries its own weight. Consider the flourishes in the handwriting, how these elegant strokes mirror the rise and fall of emotions. These swirls and curves echo ancient symbols found in illuminated manuscripts, a testament to the enduring human desire to imbue language with beauty and power. Think of the serpent, for example, a symbol of transformation, shedding its skin to reveal a new self. In this letter, the script almost seems to shed its practical purpose, transforming into an art form. Handwriting, like any potent symbol, taps into our collective memory. We unconsciously recognize the labor, the deliberation, and the personality imbued in each stroke. It is a deeply human expression, engaging our subconscious with its inherent emotional and psychological presence. The practice of handwriting, and therefore its symbolism, is slowly vanishing from our collective consciousness. However, I believe the act of writing will resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.