Brief aan Max Wilhelm Carl Weber en Anne Antoinette Weber-Van Bosse Possibly 1919

Curator: Welcome! Before us is "Brief aan Max Wilhelm Carl Weber en Anne Antoinette Weber-Van Bosse," a letter possibly from 1919, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It’s by August Allebé, executed in ink on paper. Editor: Oh, wow. It has the intimacy of a handwritten note and something much more, a formal, elegant script like visual poetry almost. Is that Dutch? It feels old school and comforting, almost nostalgic. Curator: It is Dutch, yes. It’s fascinating how handwriting, once so common, has become almost a lost art. We rarely see such beautifully rendered scripts in everyday communication now, making it feel incredibly personal, especially to people who remember when it was ubiquitous. Editor: It feels like a window into a different time, for sure. Look at the way he formed each letter. You can tell the amount of time he devoted to composing it, a thoughtfulness not so easily conveyed in a quick text or email. Curator: Precisely! This speaks volumes about social etiquette of that period. It's a blend of formal communication but carries also an earnest warmth. This particular script also reflected status and education of the sender, August Allebé. Editor: Is the letter's content as elegant as its appearance? I mean, what do you make of this communication and the relationship behind it? I’m always fascinated by what isn’t said and how much is conveyed. Curator: Well, letters such as these in Allebé's circle were social currency. They maintained relationships, transmitted news, and reinforced social bonds. Considering the mention of “criticus”, or critic, it could suggest Allebé was seeking or responding to critiques of his own work or that of a peer. The rest consists of end-of-year good wishes and mentioning that one hopes their advice has been sound. Editor: Interesting. So, beneath the beauty of the calligraphy, we have someone managing a social situation, hoping their opinions mattered. See, I knew this contained secrets! A lot of artists struggle to navigate critics or interpret what someone may think of them, right? Curator: Indeed, there are layers here. On the surface, a polite correspondence; but delving deeper, we glimpse Allebé managing his relationships, professional standing and insecurities – elements that persist across time and in artistic circles even today. Editor: Beautiful, even touching when you consider the weight of simple script and good intention. It makes you want to write a letter, slow down and pour all that careful time to composing well wishes for a loved one. Curator: And now, if you look slightly to your left... Editor: It makes a lot of sense. Thank you.