Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1893

This is a letter written by André Jolles, dated February 20, 1943. The letter, penned during the height of the Second World War, offers us a glimpse into the mind of a scholar grappling with both personal and broader societal anxieties. Writing to Jan Veth, Jolles touches on everyday concerns but also hints at the looming shadows of the war, and the occupation of the Netherlands. The intimate nature of a handwritten letter, with its flourishes and personal touch, contrasts sharply with the impersonal, bureaucratic violence of war. Jolles expresses a lack of interest in a campaign against plans for the "Nieuwe Museum" ("New Museum"). He seems to be alluding to the cultural politics of the time, perhaps reflecting on the role of art and culture amidst conflict. The letter, in its delicate script, embodies a quiet resistance – a refusal to be consumed entirely by the surrounding chaos, and an insistence on maintaining connection, intellect, and personhood in the face of overwhelming adversity.