Notities c. 1868s - 1878s

This is a page of "Notities" by Jan Willem van Borselen, held at the Rijksmuseum. The pale surface of the paper, scored with faint horizontal lines, is overlaid with delicate scribbles in pencil. These notations, scattered across the page, create a visual rhythm of light and shadow, line and form. The script, a mix of cursive and block lettering, invites us to consider the structure of language itself. The arrangement of words and phrases, seemingly without a clear hierarchy, challenges conventional notions of composition. Borselen seems to deconstruct the traditional function of writing. Here, the act of writing becomes an exploration of space, perception, and representation. The lack of fixed meaning allows the viewer to engage with the work on a more intuitive level, drawing their own connections and associations. This encourages us to recognize that art is not about fixed meanings but about the dynamic interplay of form and interpretation.