Brief aan anoniem Possibly 1865

This is "Brief aan anoniem," made by Johan Philip Koelman in 1865. The artwork is a handwritten letter, composed of dense, flowing script covering the page. The lines of text create a visual texture, almost like an abstract pattern overlaying the off-white paper. The script varies in weight and pressure, giving the surface a dynamic quality. The form of this letter, a medium of direct communication, is here abstracted into an aesthetic object. The content, although legible, becomes secondary to the visual impact of the handwriting itself. This challenges traditional notions of art as representational or expressive. Instead, Koelman focuses on the structural elements of writing. This work uses language, not just as content, but as a structural element, thereby questioning the boundaries between text and image, communication and art. It presents an opportunity to reflect on how we perceive written language.