Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1888

Curator: Looking at this piece, my first thought is of secrets whispered on paper. There’s such intimacy conveyed. Editor: This is "Brief aan Jan Veth," possibly from 1888, an ink drawing by Willem Kloos. It's intriguing how the intimacy of the theme resonates even without knowing the content of the letter. The medium is ink on paper, with Kloos utilizing pen work to draft a correspondence. Curator: It's true. It almost feels as though we've stumbled upon something intensely personal, left carelessly on a desk. The vulnerability in the handwriting is striking—as if it was capturing a very heartfelt moment of introspective vulnerability. There’s even a blur; perhaps he dashed away the moisture after the ink bleed? Editor: Well, this sense of spontaneity makes sense if we see this letter as something in the "intimism" thematic tradition—a tradition emphasizing intimate moments and settings from the every day, that privileges honesty over polish. Consider that handwriting—as you note, an integral part of this tradition is to communicate the artist’s mindset or intentions behind their own creations and views on matters; but, if those views or perspectives happened to change over a brief span of time, how much integrity does that represent, given the power of these textual or written sources of art? Curator: That’s interesting! Because I see its beauty precisely in its being, as you call it, unpolished and raw—the way the pen hesitates and then rushes forward as if it is uncertain whether to reveal something. To me, that reveals much more about his intention. Editor: Precisely. And I suppose the tension between deliberate performance and unguarded sincerity is partly what keeps us captivated by such pieces to this very day. What strikes you as the broader message beyond that original exchange between the letter’s author and the intended recipient, Jan Veth? Curator: The image, viewed from afar or up close, feels warm and genuine, evoking a mood of nostalgic connection; as if longing for intimacy and communication when we are isolated. To receive this as Jan Veth, or rather read between the lines and become one of them... Editor: The drawing certainly serves as a window into Kloos' world—inviting us to consider what's revealed and concealed in these types of artistic communications. Thank you for lending your artistic sensitivity to help guide our understanding!