Brief aan Andries Bonger Possibly 1928

This letter to Andries Bonger was written in ink, by Maurice Fromkes, sometime around August 27th, 1928. The page is packed with script, there is almost no white space. The way Fromkes moves his pen across the page reminds me of how I feel moving my brush across the canvas. There is a stream of consciousness feel to both that is really appealing. You know, handwriting can be really telling. The weight and pressure of the pen reveal so much about the person behind it, like the thickness of the paint on a canvas. Look at the way he loops his letters, the ‘y’s and ‘g’s almost dancing off the page. It gives the impression of someone who is energetic and eager. Someone who enjoys the act of writing as much as what they have to say. I often think about Cy Twombly when I look at work like this. There's a similar kind of freedom, a willingness to let the hand lead the way. It’s a good reminder that art doesn’t always have to be about perfection. It can be about the joy of making and sharing ideas, even when it gets a little messy.