Brief aan Nicolaas Pieneman Possibly 1847

This letter, addressed to Nicolaas Pieneman, was written in 1847 by Johann Gottfried Steffan. Steffan, a Swiss landscape painter, likely used iron gall ink, made from tannin and iron salts, on paper. Look closely at the writing. The ink's interaction with the paper creates a unique texture, absorbing and feathering slightly into the fibers. Steffan’s careful penmanship speaks to the importance of written communication during this period. The letter itself is a form of labor, involving the physical act of writing, the careful composition of thoughts, and the social obligation of correspondence. Paper, once a luxury, became more accessible due to industrial production, yet handwriting retained its personal touch. In an era of increasing industrialization, the handwritten letter becomes an intimate artifact. Understanding the material and social context of this letter allows us to appreciate the labor, care, and connection it represents. It challenges the notion that art is separate from everyday life.