Brief aan anoniem, mogelijk C.J. de Lang Possibly 1849

Johannes Stroebel created this letter to an unknown recipient, possibly C.J. de Lang, using paper, ink, and a quill or pen, around 1849. These simple materials speak volumes about the technologies of communication at the time. Notice the texture of the paper, likely handmade, and the way the ink bleeds slightly into its fibers, giving each stroke a personal, almost intimate quality. The handwriting itself, with its flourishes and careful formations, reflects the value placed on penmanship as a skill. Consider the time taken to craft each letter, and the labor invested in producing both the paper and the message itself. In a world of mass-produced communication, this letter stands as a testament to a slower, more deliberate mode of interaction, one that invites us to reflect on the human connection embedded in the materials and processes of its creation. It’s a potent reminder of the social context of even the simplest objects.