Brief aan Christiaan Kramm Possibly 1856

This letter was written in 1841 by Ary Johannes Lamme to Christiaan Kramm. It’s made with paper, ink and handwriting – all very common materials, but combined to produce something unique. Look closely, and you'll see the density of marks filling the page. The letter’s form is very much dictated by the hand that made it, with each stroke carefully placed. Consider the labor involved. The writer’s hand moving across the page, forming each letter, word, and sentence. The ink, likely produced in a factory, and the paper, made from processed plant fibers. While it may seem commonplace today, handwriting was once a highly valued skill, and the ability to correspond through letters connected individuals and communities. This letter is not just a means of communication, but also an artifact that reflects the social and economic conditions of its time. It challenges our assumptions about art and craft, reminding us that value can be found in the everyday.