Brief aan Jan Weissenbruch 1827 - 1891

This is Johannes Bosboom’s ‘Brief aan Jan Weissenbruch’, undated, made with pen and ink on paper. The overall visual effect is a stark contrast between the dark, looping calligraphic strokes of the ink and the pale, slightly textured surface of the paper. The letters are densely packed, creating a rhythm of ascenders and descenders that compete with the eye. Bosboom uses the act of writing as a raw form of expression. It creates a sense of intimacy, as though we are intercepting a private exchange. The semiotic system at play in the text is a blend of linguistic signs and visual gestures. Each word serves as a signifier, referring to concepts and ideas. The formal qualities of the handwriting—the pressure of the pen, the flourishes and abbreviations—act as their own form of communication, conveying the writer's mood and personality. The torn edge of the paper reminds us of the fragility and temporality of the document. This contrasts with the enduring qualities of the written word.