Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1893 - 1899

This is Ariette Sophia Jeannette Mauve-Carbentus’s letter ‘Brief aan August Allebé’ written in 1873. The elegant, looping script of the handwriting immediately draws us into a world of personal communication, where each stroke of the pen carries both information and the writer's unique touch. The visual structure of the letter is defined by the contrast between the dark ink and the pale paper. Note how the lines of text create a series of horizontal bands across the page. This ordered layout provides a framework for the more expressive qualities of the handwriting. The letter isn't just about what it says, but also how it looks. Considered as a semiotic object, the letter speaks of a particular time and place, of social conventions and personal relationships. It invites us to reflect on the act of writing itself, and on how we communicate with each other today. The careful script, with its variations in pressure and rhythm, demonstrates the author’s presence and intention. This letter presents an alternative way of thinking about language and communication.