Brief aan jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout (1879-1969) 1908 - 1934

This letter to Jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout was written by Emilius Wilhelmus Dehé sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. I’m thinking about Dehé, bent over his desk, quill in hand. Imagine the scratching of the nib across the paper, the slight variations in pressure, and the way each word unfurls from the tip, one after the other. The ink is light brown. It spreads subtly into the fibers of the paper, creating a soft edge around each stroke. I wonder what Dehé was thinking as he wrote. Was he rushed, or relaxed? Was he aware that his handwriting would outlive him, that it would one day be scrutinized by strangers like us? Dehé is known for his drawings and posters, so letter writing might have been an essential part of his practice, a way of connecting with clients and collaborators, exchanging ideas, and building relationships. I love the idea of artists communicating through letters, engaging in an intimate exchange of thoughts and feelings. It reminds me that art is not just about the finished product, but also about the process of communication, connection, and exchange.