Conceptbrief aan Albert Messein 1930

This is a concept brief to Albert Messein, created in 1930 by Henriette Wilhelmina van Baak. What might seem like just a note reveals the writer's deep consideration for her work. Notice the deliberate choice of words and phrases, where the concepts of 'names,' 'lists,' and 'shadows' repeatedly appear, hinting at the artist's interest in clarity and precision. The motif of the list, as seen here, is ancient. Consider its early forms on clay tablets, cataloging property, or perhaps even earlier, etched into cave walls to record hunts. In the 15th century, the “Notitia Dignitatum” meticulously listed all Roman military and civil posts. In each instance, such lists serve to impose order, manage resources, and document existence. The careful attention to detail suggests a deep emotional investment, as if the writer is striving for a perfect understanding or representation of her subject. This act is a potent psychological process. The need to list and order can also be an attempt to control uncertainty, reflecting a desire to make sense of an often chaotic world. The evolution of the list shows how humans have sought to understand and master their environments.