Brief aan Pieter Verloren van Themaat Possibly 1861 - 1869

This is a letter written in 1861 by Charles Rochussen, a Dutch artist. At first glance, the flowing script, penned in dark ink, presents itself as a carrier of information, of mundane communication. But look closer; script itself is one of humanity’s most enduring symbolic systems, a bridge across time. Consider how handwriting, the unique impression of an individual’s hand, has been used to convey not just words, but also status, emotion, and intention. Think of ancient illuminated manuscripts, where the very form of the letters testified to the sacredness of the text. Letters, like those seen here, have served as intimate expressions and historical records. The act of writing, like the act of image-making, is deeply embedded in our collective memory. The gesture of forming letters by hand can stir a profound sense of connection to the past, a physical echo of countless others who have sought to communicate, persuade, and record. This letter invites us to contemplate the enduring human need to leave our mark, to inscribe our thoughts and experiences into the fabric of time.