Brief aan Françoise W.M. Bonger Possibly 1965 - 1969

This is a letter from Jean Selz to Françoise W.M. Bonger, dated September 16, 1965. He is writing a book on Odilon Redon and is requesting documentation on Redon’s works from Bonger's collection. You know, thinking about this letter makes me imagine the act of painting itself, how it comes into being, shifting and emerging through trial, error, and intuition. Selz must have felt such excitement and anticipation, like an artist approaching a blank canvas. It’s funny how we often think of painting as this solitary act, but this letter is a reminder of the collaborative spirit that underlies so much of art-making. Artists are constantly in conversation, exchanging ideas across time. Selz's letter makes me think of painting as an embodied expression that embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations. Like painting, writing can be philosophical, playful, and reflective. Ultimately, I think it’s about opening up a space for imagination around the artwork.