Brief aan Jan Veth 1878 - 1925

Here is the "Brief aan Jan Veth" from 1893 by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst, made with pen and ink. It's funny, isn't it, how handwriting can feel so much like drawing? I love how the letters tilt and lean, bunching together in some spots and stretching out in others. It feels so alive, like a little dance across the page. You can almost feel the rhythm of the hand, the way it speeds up and slows down, pressing harder or more lightly on the page. See that little flick at the end of a word? That's like a tiny burst of energy, a little flourish that adds so much personality. Looking at this letter, I’m reminded of Cy Twombly. I think it’s because both artists share a love of the handmade mark, the imperfect line, the beauty of the accidental. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about expression.