Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1891 - 1899

This is a letter by Willem Kloos to Jan Veth, penned in Amsterdam on September 28, 1891. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the contrasting dark ink against the pale paper, creating a visual rhythm across the rectangular field. The controlled, yet fluid strokes of Kloos' handwriting form a constellation of shapes that fill the space. The composition reveals a deliberate arrangement. The date and location are neatly placed at the top, while the body of the letter flows downwards, concluding with the signatures. This structure, combined with the letter's contents—a mix of congratulations and literary critique—mirrors the formalist concerns of the era. It explores the intersection of aesthetics and communication. The letter challenges conventional notions of art. It destabilizes the separation between art and life. The act of writing, the materiality of ink and paper, and the carefully structured sentences become elements of a broader artistic discourse.