Brief aan Henriette Wilhelmina van Baak Possibly 1930 - 1934

Curator: So, here we have "Brief aan Henriette Wilhelmina van Baak," or "Letter to Henriette Wilhelmina van Baak," created sometime between 1930 and 1934 by Lien van Delden. It's a drawing, made with pen on paper. Editor: It strikes me immediately as so… intimate. It feels like stumbling upon a hidden note, something intensely personal meant for only one set of eyes. And look at that script! Curator: Exactly! Van Delden's command of hand-lettering here is phenomenal. Notice the variations in line thickness, the delicate serifs, and the overall rhythm of the text. It’s more than just writing; it's visual poetry. We see, really, a portrait here in lettering. Editor: There's a tangible warmth, even in the cool precision of the lines. Almost like the artist is sharing a confidence, inviting you to lean closer, maybe a little eavesdropping. I wonder what they're writing. Curator: Without having full context about the artist herself, we can assume it to be quite friendly based on some of the script present; "Lieve Jet", for example, meaning Dear Jet. "Den Haag" and "30 April '06", suggesting perhaps this letter might even be related to the coronation of Queen Juliana! There are some interesting decorative flowers bordering it too. Editor: Interesting indeed, so there really is a beautiful intentionality in every aspect here, compositionally speaking; those details are doing some pretty heavy lifting emotionally, giving us a view into the intent and perhaps mindset behind creating this particular artifact! I think a letter, no matter how personal, hopes to somehow extend beyond the page it occupies. Curator: And for us, it certainly has succeeded in this sense! It's almost as if Van Delden wanted us to participate somehow in the act of its inscription and what lies beneath the words. Editor: So very well-put. It really prompts the observer to reflect on our most personal and treasured means of connecting to others, as well.