Brief aan Mien Cambier van Nooten Possibly 1938

Curator: So, what catches your eye about this particular piece? Editor: This is “Brief aan Mien Cambier van Nooten” by Dick Ket, possibly from 1938. It’s ink on paper and currently at the Rijksmuseum. It feels very personal, like stumbling upon someone’s private correspondence. What do you see in this work? Curator: It’s more than just a letter, isn’t it? It's like peeking into Ket's mind. The frenetic script gives the impression that it was spontaneously executed in the moment. Look how the density of the writing varies, almost like a visual rhythm. Editor: I see that. There are also several different handwriting styles used in this letter. The letters get tighter at the bottom, like there’s not enough space to finish! Curator: Exactly! It hints at constraint, a common theme with Ket due to his heart condition and subsequent immobility. Do you see the tiny sketch integrated within the letter? Editor: Oh, wow, I almost missed it! It’s tucked in amongst all the words. Do you think the content of the letter itself reflects that sense of physical restriction? Curator: Possibly. It's tempting to imagine his words grappling with that very confinement. In a way, the act of writing itself becomes an act of escape, doesn’t it? The words become the only freedom allowed. Editor: That's a fascinating thought! Seeing his art through the lens of his personal struggles makes it so much more poignant. Curator: Absolutely. And by the way, “Mien Cambier van Nooten” was his soon-to-be wife. How romantic is that!