Brief aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk Possibly 1907 - 1929

Editor: Here we have "Brief aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk," likely created sometime between 1907 and 1929 by H.J. Hubert. It’s a drawing in ink on either paper or perhaps even textile. The cursive is beautiful, but the overall effect feels rather…fragile. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, fragile is the perfect word. It whispers, doesn't it? What I find striking is its inherent intimacy. This isn't a pronouncement for the masses; it's a whisper across time between two people. Notice the delicate flourishes of the pen, the careful looping of the letters. Can't you almost *feel* the hand that wrote this? It reminds us that handwriting is a kind of portraiture, an impression of the writer’s character and intellect. And what does it convey about *their* relationship, do you think? Editor: I suppose there’s a formal tone; "Geachte Heer” indicates respect, so perhaps it’s a business relationship? The writer mentions a book… Curator: Precisely! This offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time. Look at the mention of the "Biblia Pauperum," published by the Graphic Society. A “heerlijk boekje”– a delightful little book, indeed. Consider how such societies fostered artistic exchange and literary appreciation. The very act of handwriting a letter was an art form, and Hubert clearly takes pleasure in its creation. Editor: It’s amazing to think of a handwritten letter being seen as an art form now. Curator: It highlights the care and consideration embedded in personal correspondence before mass communication, a slower and more deliberately artful means of conveying your message. Perhaps, like this letter, our quick electronic dispatches of today will be museum pieces someday. Editor: It's been fascinating seeing a handwritten letter through this lens, considering the art in the handwriting itself. Curator: Absolutely. And maybe, a small nudge to reach for our pens.