Brief aan Adriaan van der Willigen Pz Possibly 1844 - 1847

This is Cornelis Lieste's letter to Adriaan van der Willigen Pz. made with ink on paper. The letter's structure is immediately apparent, composed of varying line densities. The handwriting shows a deliberate arrangement; from the formal greeting at the top, to the body, signature and date at the base. The consistent use of the black ink creates an immediate visual unity. Each stroke functions almost as a semiotic sign, conveying invitation, respect, and social convention. The letter's visual qualities evoke an intimate glimpse into the social mores of the time. The formal, curvilinear letterforms, are indicative of the time. This letter is not merely a conveyance of information but a carefully structured composition. It’s a construction that uses the conventions of script to communicate meaning. The letter's structure becomes a statement, reflecting the values and communication methods of its time. This reveals how even the most mundane objects can become a site of aesthetic and cultural interpretation.