Brief aan Etha Fles Possibly 1886

Editor: Here we have "Brief aan Etha Fles," a letter likely written in 1886 by Jan Veth. It’s pen and ink on paper. Looking at it, I’m struck by the density of the handwriting, almost like a woven fabric. What do you see in this piece, looking at it through the lens of material culture? Curator: Beyond its immediate function as a message, this letter reveals the social context and the very process of its creation. We see ink, paper – everyday materials elevated through the act of writing and Veth's intent. Consider the labor involved. Editor: You mean beyond just the writing itself? Curator: Exactly. The production of the paper, the crafting of the pen, the preparation of the ink, and even Veth's physical effort of writing, shaped the final object. This labor has imbued the letter with value. The physical constraints influenced the letter's length, organization, even its tone. Editor: So, it’s not just the content but the physical reality of the materials that gives the piece meaning. I’d never considered it that way. Curator: The materials also speak to consumption and class. Pen, ink and paper, their availability and affordability speak to social status, and the very act of sending a letter indicates an investment in relationships and networks. Was it a commercial paper? How was this type of letter consumed by its intended audience? The Dutch Golden Age was also defined by expanding literacy across economic classes. Editor: I am beginning to consider how the message connects to material things involved in making and consuming the object of delivery. Curator: Consider it further, and you might discover this artwork tells a rich story!