Brief aan Lambertus Hardenberg Possibly 1842 - 1846

Servaas de Jong penned this letter to Lambertus Hardenberg in 1842, using paper and ink. The inherent qualities of these simple materials are key to understanding the artwork. Paper, derived from processed plant fibers, was becoming increasingly commonplace, part of the burgeoning print culture of the 19th century. The ink, likely iron gall, etches itself into the fibres, creating a document both fragile and enduring. Look closely, and you can see the marks of the hand—the pressure of the pen, the flourishes and cross-outs. These connect us to the embodied labour of writing, a skill once highly valued. Consider the social context: handwriting was essential for communication and administration. This letter represents an act of communication, but also a demonstration of education and social standing. It reminds us that even everyday materials and practices carry cultural significance, blurring the boundaries between craft and fine art.