Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1860 - 1867

This is a letter to Ary Johannes Lamme by Nicaise De Keyser, created in 1860. The immediate impression is one of textual order contrasted with the fluid, energetic strokes of handwriting. It is the materiality of language itself that strikes us. The dark ink on the pale paper sets up a binary that invites interpretation. Consider the semiotics at play. Each word is a signifier, carefully chosen by De Keyser to convey his message. Yet, the form of the letters, their slant and pressure, injects an additional layer of meaning. This challenges any fixed interpretation, suggesting that meaning is not just in the words themselves but also in how they are presented. The letter’s materiality reminds us that communication is not just about the exchange of information but also about presence and intention. The embodied act of writing, rendered visible through the unique trace of the artist’s hand, opens up new avenues for understanding the artist's intention.