Arabische cijfers c. 1890 - 1922

Johanna van de Kamer's "Arabische cijfers" shows numbers rendered as if calligraphy, with their own distinct personalities. I can picture Johanna carefully inking each number onto the page. Was she thinking about math, or the shapes themselves? The way the "3" curves, almost shyly, or the confident stance of the "4," it makes me wonder. I love the way Johanna alternates between thick and thin lines. Look at the "8" and "9," their flowing curves creating a sense of movement. I imagine Johanna experimenting, letting each number evolve, each stroke a discovery. It reminds me of other artists playing with lettering, like Cy Twombly's scribbles. Artists are always riffing off each other, and Johanna's exploration of form feels timeless, a testament to the endless possibilities of seeing and making.