Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1893 - 1895

This letter was composed by Pieter Lodewijk Tak around 1898 using paper and ink. The paper itself is a product of industrial manufacturing, reflecting the increasing availability of affordable writing materials in the late 19th century. Note the lines, an aid to keep the handwriting straight. The ink, likely iron gall, has a subtle sheen, giving the script a sense of depth, as does the calligraphic pressure of the writing. In terms of labor, this letter represents the hand of the author, putting thoughts to paper using a simple but effective technology. The act of handwriting itself was a common skill, but the elegance and legibility here suggest a certain level of education and refinement. Even in this most workaday of forms, we can still perceive an aesthetic sensibility at play. The letter embodies the intimate connection between material, process, and social context, reminding us that even the most functional objects can carry layers of cultural meaning.