Transcriptie van (een deel van) een brief aan Friedrich Gustav Julius Süs after 1904

Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk made this transcript of a letter to Friedrich Gustav Julius Süs in 1904, using ink on paper. The stark contrast between the dark ink and the off-white paper creates an immediate sense of intimacy, like eavesdropping on a private conversation. The handwriting, with its looping ascenders and descenders, has a rhythm all its own. Look at how the letters lean and connect, forming words that seem to dance across the page. This isn't just information; it's a performance. The pressure of the pen varies, creating thick and thin lines that emphasize certain words, like "Spiegelkeyper," giving them a weight and presence. The letter form reminds me of the drawings of Cy Twombly; both artists share an interest in the graphic qualities of text, making visible the process of writing as a form of art. The smudges and inconsistencies also add to the authenticity of the piece, reminding us of the artist's hand and the passage of time. It's a reminder that art is not just about perfection, but about capturing a moment, a thought, a feeling.