Brief aan Héloïse Bernard-Bodin Possibly 1896

This letter was written by Emile Bernard to Héloïse Bernard-Bodin with paper, pen, and ink. Though unassuming, these materials are integral to the letter's meaning. Think about it: paper originates in trees, connecting the letter to the physical world. But its surface is designed for inscription, ready to receive information and convey it across space. The ink, likely iron gall, is a mix of tannin, iron salts, and gum arabic. It etches words onto the page in Bernard's particular hand. The letter then, in its form, becomes a kind of time capsule. It offers a glimpse into the artist’s personal life, and evokes an era when written correspondence was a primary means of communication. It serves as a reminder of labor practices and a slower mode of communication before the digital age. Letters like this one encourage us to appreciate the rich social context of art, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday life.