Conceptbrief aan Hugh Blaker 1917 - 1918

This letter, penned by Andries Bonger, reflects on artistic judgment and the shifting tides of cultural appreciation. Here, words become symbols, each phrase a delicate brushstroke revealing the writer's inner world. Bonger mentions the "self-portrait" that was previously considered a "shameless crook," now hailed as a masterpiece. It is a symbol of the mutable nature of taste and acceptance. Think of classical sculptures once deemed the height of beauty, now fragmented relics viewed with a mix of reverence and detached curiosity. These shifting perceptions connect to our subconscious desires and anxieties. We, as viewers, project our own interpretations onto the art, shaping its meaning through the lens of our experiences. The emotional weight of these symbols lies in their ability to evoke powerful, subconscious responses. It's a cycle of cultural rediscovery, where symbols resurface, evolve, and find new life in the collective consciousness.