Brief aan Greet Feuerstein c. 1915

This letter, made by Jan Toorop, is a fantastic example of how writing can be art, and art can be writing. Look at the way the ink, probably from a fountain pen, dances across the page, almost like a flurry of tiny brushstrokes. The way he uses that dark ink on a lighter background reminds me of the importance of contrast in art – how the light and dark play off each other to create depth and interest. The density of the words, almost like a field of marks, makes you want to lean in, doesn’t it? He has used those soft pen marks to keep the form in motion and the meaning in-between the lines. Notice how the lines aren't perfectly straight, they curve and bend, giving a sense of movement and life to the words. The whole thing feels incredibly personal, you get a sense of Toorop’s energy, his way of thinking. This reminds me of Cy Twombly’s scribbled paintings, where the act of writing becomes a way of drawing, a way of expressing raw emotion. Both artists show us that art doesn’t always have to be polished and perfect; it can be messy, spontaneous, and full of life.