Notitie 1900 - 1903

This is "Notitie" by Antoon Derkinderen, made from paper and ink. The artist's hand is clearly present; the note almost feels like a personal message, sketched out informally. Consider the paper itself. Before mass production, paper was a precious commodity, made by hand, sheet by sheet. Even after industrialization made paper more widely available, its texture, weight, and color all spoke volumes about its intended purpose. A simple note on paper thus becomes a dialogue between the artist's intention and the material's inherent qualities. Perhaps Derkinderen chose this paper deliberately, its particular shade and smoothness influencing the flow of ink and the overall tone of the message. The handwritten note shows the artist's direct engagement and thought processes, making the boundary between intention and execution very thin. Looking at the materials and processes, it reminds us that even the simplest artwork carries a wealth of meaning, blurring the lines between art, craft, and everyday life.