Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1887

Albert Verwey wrote this letter to Jan Veth, likely in 1887, using ink on paper. Paper as a writing surface is central to the modern world, tied to literacy, bureaucracy, and the broad dissemination of information. However, the intimacy of handwriting pushes back against the impersonality of industrial society. The pressure of the nib, the flow of the ink, the rhythm of the hand: all these physical aspects of writing are intensely personal. You can see the loops and flourishes of Verwey's penmanship. The writing leans forward urgently, the letters closely packed. The materiality of the letter gives us a sense of Verwey's presence, a trace of his hand and mind at work. Ultimately, understanding this letter involves recognizing both the industrial context of its materials and the personal expression imbued within it. This challenges any strict separation between craft and fine art, highlighting the value of intimate, handmade communication.