Brief aan de Commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Haarlem Possibly 1843 - 1845

This is Charles Rochussen’s ‘Brief aan de Commissie van de Tentoonstelling van Levende Meesters in Haarlem,’ created in 1843. Executed in ink on paper, it embodies an era of formal correspondence, yet its artistic merit lies in the visual structure of the handwriting itself. The script cascades down the page, a series of elegant, looping forms creating dynamic lines of communication. Each word, a semiotic sign, is meticulously shaped, carrying both linguistic meaning and visual weight. The varying pressure of the pen creates a play of light and shadow, lending depth and texture to the surface. The composition is asymmetrical, with the artist's signature and date anchoring the lower portion. This piece transcends its literal content. It becomes an exploration of form, line, and the very act of writing as a mode of artistic expression. Rochussen transforms a simple letter into a study of visual aesthetics. It prompts us to consider how art challenges conventional forms of communication. It functions as a discourse on the intersection of language, art, and cultural expression.