Brief aan Héloïse Bernard-Bodin Possibly 1897

This letter was penned by Emile Bernard, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, on a piece of paper with dark ink. The materials are humble: paper, probably manufactured in bulk, and a writing implement, most likely a pen. The letter's impact lies in its content and its very existence as a hand-written artifact. Each stroke of the pen embodies Bernard's thoughts and emotions, creating an intimate connection across time and space, with marks made in real-time and the uneven pressure of the nib. You can sense the rhythm of his writing, the pauses and emphases in the script itself. The act of writing and sending the letter is a laborious, time-consuming act – a stark contrast to the instantaneous communication we have today. In a world dominated by mass production, this letter reminds us of the value of personal connection and the enduring power of the handmade. It is a small, yet powerful assertion of human presence in a world increasingly mediated by machines.