Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1886

Maurits van der Valk penned this letter to Jan Veth in November of 1886. It’s a humble object, paper and ink, but it speaks volumes about the social networks of artists at the time. Paper production in the late 19th century was rapidly industrializing, becoming cheaper and more accessible, while the work of handwriting remained deeply personal. Van der Valk’s looping script, the visible pressure of the pen, all convey a sense of his presence. Even the lined paper speaks to a certain standardization, the way everyday life was being regimented. Consider the time taken to carefully form each word, the deliberate act of communication in a pre-digital age. It underscores the value placed on correspondence and intellectual exchange. This letter bridges the gap between the handmade and the industrial, reminding us that even the simplest materials carry layers of social and cultural meaning. It invites us to reflect on the labor of communication, then and now.