Brief aan Anna Dorothea Dirks en Jan Veth Possibly 1895 - 1899

Curator: Here we have "Brief aan Anna Dorothea Dirks en Jan Veth," or "Letter to Anna Dorothea Dirks and Jan Veth." It’s believed to be made sometime between 1895 and 1899, a delicate drawing in ink on paper by Jacoba Cornelia Jolles-Singels. Editor: You know, looking at this, I immediately feel this odd mix of intimacy and distance. The handwriting is so personal, but it's... well, let’s be honest, I can barely make out a word! It feels like eavesdropping on a conversation meant for someone else's eyes. Curator: That's a keen observation. These personal letters, especially drafts and sketches like this one, give us an incredible window into the artist’s life and social circles. These are people who were a part of her intimate sphere and this, no doubt, represents everyday life, perhaps even with its small urgencies. Editor: Right, like the shopping lists of the 19th century! Except instead of groceries, it’s filled with… what, inside jokes and family matters? It's funny how something so specific can still resonate. And that elegant script, it is amazing that she used ink for this sketch; it elevates even mundane correspondence into something beautiful. You know? You can see Jacoba thinking her thoughts. Curator: Exactly! The act of handwriting itself was an art form. This is a great reminder to stop and think about letter-writing traditions now relegated mostly to history, traditions that defined social dynamics and familial bonds in the Netherlands during that era. I also think her use of ink provides permanence. She expects her notes to be looked at after being left somewhere: in a bag, a drawer... who knows? But there it remains today, telling us so many things. Editor: Well, I think Jacoba knew what she was doing. This glimpse into someone's everyday existence—those little, almost secret words scrawled across paper, becomes something bigger, doesn't it? Almost a portrait of the soul… That makes the artwork valuable, I guess. Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that history isn't just grand events and public figures, but the quiet, everyday moments too. Thanks for pointing that out! Editor: My pleasure. There’s just something magical about seeing a letter—like touching someone’s memories and secrets, across time! It seems to remind us how much can be in so little.