Briefkaart aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk Possibly 1911 - 1921

This briefkaart, or postcard, was made by jonkheer Barthold Willem Floris van Riemsdijk, though we don't know exactly when, and is held at the Rijksmuseum. The subdued tones are reminiscent of graphite on paper, but it feels more like he’s writing with light. Imagine Van Riemsdijk carefully composing this message. What thoughts might have passed through his mind as he chose each word? The handwriting is a gesture, a dance of ink across the page. It speaks volumes about his intention, the time, and the place in which it was made. It reminds me of the way Cy Twombly used handwriting in his paintings to bring a sense of immediacy. Painters have always borrowed from other art forms, and I see that same kind of cross-pollination here. Just like painting, writing by hand can be a physical and emotional act. Each mark carries intention and feeling. I guess that's what I think about when I make paintings, too.