Brief aan Alberto Caramelli Possibly 1861 - 1867

Editor: We’re looking at a letter here, titled "Brief aan Alberto Caramelli," which translates to “Letter to Alberto Caramelli.” It’s attributed to Johannes Hilverdink and is held at the Rijksmuseum. The dating is estimated between 1861 and 1867. What strikes you about it? Curator: The first thing that captures my attention is the formal, calligraphic style of handwriting. It seems meticulously crafted, each stroke purposeful, contributing to the overall composition. I’m interested in the relationship between form and communication. Editor: Right, it’s all handmade, no printing press here. And the physical presence of the handwritten letter – the texture of the paper, the ink itself – these were central to communication. It connects the sender and receiver in a really tangible way, wouldn’t you say? The human touch is so present. Curator: Precisely! The texture introduces another layer. Observe how the ink interacts with the paper’s surface, creating tonal variations that contribute depth and nuance. How does the materiality impact the symbolic value? Editor: Well, it was certainly intended to be a personal and permanent record, which is labour intensive to make by hand; also the legibility is quite poor so a messenger had to be quite literate, especially given the constraints, wouldn't you agree? Curator: From a structuralist viewpoint, consider the negative space around the script. It frames and emphasizes the written content. The ratio of figure to ground affects readability and the pace at which we assimilate information. I see meaning emerging through a visual structure of arrangement, intervals, and visual impact. Editor: Definitely a unique artform of its own given its social role at the time and how many individuals would be employed to carry this message in a number of processes involved. Thank you for helping to elaborate upon my thoughts. Curator: My pleasure; it’s enlightening to dissect and reveal underlying relationships between components in such intimate communications.