Brief aan anoniem 1838 - 1898

This letter of unknown date, by Pieter Stortenbeker, is rendered in delicate strokes of graphite on paper. The eye is drawn into a composition of lines, loops, and angles that form the architecture of the Dutch language. The visual rhythm oscillates between legibility and abstraction. The words cluster to form blocks of text, yet the individual letters dance away from uniformity. The light-grey tonality creates a subtle interplay of shadow and illumination, highlighting the materiality of the paper and the textured imprint of the graphite. This piece can be seen as a semiotic artifact, where written language transcends its utilitarian purpose, becoming an aesthetic object. It destabilizes our usual perception of letters as mere signifiers. Instead, it transforms them into tangible forms that invite us to reflect on the act of communication and inscription. We're left to appreciate the form, pondering what meanings might be extracted from its structure.