Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1898 - 1899

This letter to Jan Veth was written by Jozef Israëls in 1894. The dominant visual experience comes from the contrast between the stark off-white paper and the dark, looping lines of the handwritten text. The vertical orientation and density of the script create a sense of intimacy, as if we're peering into a private correspondence. The formal qualities of the letter itself—the texture of the paper, the pressure of the ink, and the rhythm of the handwriting—evoke a sense of immediacy. These elements, like the brushstrokes in a painting, convey the artist's presence and intent. In semiotic terms, the letter functions as a sign, its visual components carrying coded information about the writer's personality, the historical context, and the relationship between Israëls and Veth. The letter challenges the fixed category of 'artwork' by presenting a functional document as an object of aesthetic interest. Ultimately, the raw texture invites us to interpret the material as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse on communication and human connection.