Handschrift over de diensttijd 1941 - 1942

This handwritten text, "Handschrift over de diensttijd," of unknown date by an anonymous artist, found its way into the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The white lettering against the grey background is striking. It reminds us that the act of writing is also a mark-making process, like painting, and the choice of colour and the texture of the surface all contribute to the work's meaning. Look closely, and you can see the subtle variations in the pressure of the writing instrument, creating a delicate dance of thick and thin lines. There's a rhythm and flow to the script, like a musical score. This kind of intimate detail speaks to me about the human desire to make our mark, to leave something behind that says, "I was here." The piece reminds me of Cy Twombly's work, where writing and drawing blur, creating a space for both language and feeling. Ultimately, this humble page invites us to contemplate the power of the handwritten word and its ability to communicate across time.