Brief aan jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout (1879-1969) Possibly 1931

This letter was written in The Hague in 1931 by Willem Adrianus Grondhout. Imagine the artist, pen in hand, carefully forming each letter, trying to make an impression. The ink flows, creating a sense of depth, as the words accumulate on the page. I think about Grondhout's focused energy in trying to communicate with the director of the Rijksprentenkabinet. His life was dedicated to his art, he died only a few years later, and perhaps he hoped for recognition, or maybe just to be seen. The slight imperfections and subtle variations in the handwriting evoke a sense of the artist's presence, like a fingerprint left on the page. The script becomes a form of embodied expression, a physical record of the artist's thoughts and emotions. The letter echoes those of other artists seeking recognition, forging connections through time. It reminds us that painting, like writing, is an act of vulnerability and courage.