Inhoudsopgave 1857 - 1859

Pierre Cuypers made this index page without a date at the Rijksmuseum using ink on paper. Rather than fine art materials like oil paint, Cuypers used everyday materials associated with administration and record-keeping. The artist used the inherently absorbent qualities of paper and the fluid dynamics of ink to create neat columns of text, reflecting a culture of bureaucracy. The artist engaged with skilled traditions of calligraphy and penmanship. These writing forms are more typically found in professional and administrative contexts rather than fine art. The labor involved in carefully inscribing each word by hand shows how processes of documentation have evolved over time. Now, such lists are instantly generated, printed or digitized with ease. Recognizing the significance of materials, processes, and context helps us appreciate the full meaning of Cuypers' index page. It challenges traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.