Brief aan Christiaan Kramm Possibly 1857

This is a letter to Christiaan Kramm, made in the mid-19th century by Pierre Louis Dubourcq. Its material simplicity speaks volumes. It’s just ink on paper – humble stuff, yet the basis for so much communication and commerce. The artist’s handwriting is more than just a means to convey linguistic information. The very shapes of the letters, their flow and rhythm across the page, are expressive. Consider the time and care it took to form each character, in the absence of typewriters and printers. Think, too, about the labor involved in papermaking. From the gathering of raw materials, like cotton rags, to the pulping, pressing, and drying, each sheet represents hours of work. Paper was one of the great innovations that enabled modern capitalism and mass literacy. So, even in this seemingly simple letter, we can see complex social and economic forces at play. It reminds us that even the most commonplace materials have a history, and that craft and labor are always embedded in the things we use every day.