Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1884

This is a letter, handwritten in Amsterdam on January 4th, 1884, by Willem Witsen. But within these scribbles, we find symbols not only of communication, but of enduring human concerns. Notice the handwriting itself, a direct impression of the writer’s thoughts and emotions. This reflects a primal impulse to communicate, resonating across cultures and epochs. Think of ancient runes or hieroglyphs – humankind’s urge to express and preserve ideas. Now, consider the act of letter writing. The personal touch of a handwritten note carries an emotional weight far beyond the mere words, a motif that recurs in different guises throughout history. From Roman correspondence to Renaissance sonnets, the letter is a vessel of intimacy and connection. The seemingly simple act of writing becomes a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. As we read, we engage in a cyclical process of memory and recognition, where familiar symbols resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings within the context of individual experience.