Brief zonder oorspronkelijkheid 1889

This is the cover of ‘Brief zonder oorspronkelijkheid’ or Letters without originality, by Sicco Ernst Willem Roorda van Eysinga. This work presents us with a study in contrasts and visual syntax. The use of typography dominates the composition, with the letters arranged in a clear hierarchy that directs the viewer's eye. The words are stacked vertically, creating a structured and almost architectural feel. This is juxtaposed against the aged paper that bears stains and marks, adding an element of chance and history. The border, composed of repeating geometric patterns, frames the text and further emphasizes the constructed nature of the design. However, its symmetry is disrupted by slight imperfections, hinting at the manual processes involved in its creation. This interplay between order and disorder challenges the concept of originality suggested in the title, inviting us to consider how meaning is constructed and perceived through the visual elements of a page.