Kwitantie voor Frans Buffa en Zonen Possibly 1874

This receipt, penned by Willem Maris in Amsterdam on November 4, 1874, is more than a mere financial record; it's a symbol of artistic exchange. Look closely at the ink blot—an accidental flourish. The art of the signature, a practice dating back to ancient times, served as a personal mark but it evolved into a potent symbol of authenticity and agreement. Its form, like a dance across the page, carries the weight of legal and social contracts. We recognize this symbolic act throughout history, from royal decrees to personal letters. The signature's transformation reflects our evolving need to establish identity and trust. It is an echo of our collective memory. The act of signing taps into our deep-seated psychological need for validation, while the receipt is a symbolic object—a testament to human creativity and commerce, destined to appear, in its many guises, throughout time.