Brief aan Filippo Tessaro Possibly 1890 - 1899

This is a letter, "Brief aan Filippo Tessaro," created by Jan Veth. The letterform itself presents a study in contrasts through the configuration of its written script, which dominates the upper portion of the page, set against the expanse of the paper. The arrangement of the text creates a visual hierarchy that directs the eye, reflecting a structural order. The deliberate placement and the density of ink create their own textural landscape on the page. We see the tactile qualities of the paper, its grain and subtle imperfections, engaging with broader philosophical ideas about presence and absence. The use of the written word, and the negative space around it, challenges fixed notions, prompting ongoing engagement with the artwork’s textual and spatial dynamics. It serves not just as a means of communication, but as a site for contemplating structure, perception, and the unfolding of meaning.