Brief aan Mien Cambier van Nooten 1938 - 1939

Curator: This is a fascinating piece. Entitled "Brief aan Mien Cambier van Nooten," created by Dick Ket between 1938 and 1939. It’s currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Predominantly executed in ink and pen on paper, this work gives us a very intimate look into the artist's thoughts. Editor: Intimate indeed. My immediate impression is one of density and almost overwhelming detail. The script is so tightly packed, creating a visual texture that feels both intricate and somewhat claustrophobic. It draws me into a world contained within the borders of this letter. Curator: Precisely! Ket's style, while often categorized within modernism, is highly individual. He renders the written text as almost a portrait in itself. Notice how the very materiality of the ink on the paper becomes a vital aspect of the artwork, not simply a carrier of information. Editor: It begs the question, what kind of pen and ink allowed him to achieve such a consistent line weight and density? The choice of paper too, how does its texture interact with the ink? I imagine the act of writing this was quite deliberate, demanding significant physical endurance. Considering the period, we might think about the availability of materials, or the rationing and access during those years. Curator: An excellent point. The selection of these particular materials inherently influences our perception of its form, dictating not only the visual texture, but also, the work's overall fragility. The delicate nature of the paper contrasts strongly with the assertive density of the ink. Editor: It's more than just a letter; it becomes a testament to labor and materiality. One might argue that the letter embodies qualities typically ascribed to a detailed drawing. The dedication to craft evident here challenges those boundaries that delineate high art and craft. What was the social function of such personal correspondence during a turbulent historical time? Curator: That interplay between personal and artistic expression really brings forth a powerful reflection on his dedication to this intimate and revealing letter. Editor: Yes, and for me, a deeper consideration of process illuminates so much beyond just the image.