Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1866

Curator: This is "Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme," a letter possibly from 1866, penned by David Bles. It currently resides at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My initial thought is that this feels deeply personal. The sloped, cursive script speaks of urgency and a close relationship, not just a formal declaration. It's almost intimidating, the thought of intruding upon such an intimate exchange. Curator: The letter itself is an intriguing artifact. Bles utilizes pen and ink on paper. This piece presents both an informative note and a sample of beautiful calligraphy. The material fragility hints at the preciousness of written communication in that era, and this is the primary way of reaching another person across even shorter distances. Editor: Exactly. And notice the rhythm in the script; the variable line weights must’ve been difficult to achieve. Each stroke had to be intentional, demanding careful hand-eye coordination. This process creates a sense of human presence that the speed of machine printing today really diminishes. Curator: Indeed, the calligraphic flourishes are evocative, creating almost a dance on the page. And note how the date at the top lends the piece an iconic feeling, like setting the stage for a dramatic event to come. It encapsulates the moment's importance. Editor: Speaking of the physical, what about the paper itself? I’d love to know more about its production. Was it mass-produced or handcrafted? The type of fibers and the paper’s surface would further inform the circumstances in which it was produced, received, and carefully archived until it got here. The story of a paper trail, leading us here and now, fascinates me the most. Curator: A good point. In its way, the paper bears silent witness to that historical exchange. It almost makes one consider the nature of fleeting conversations, whether a voice, a shared laugh, or simply the everyday chatter now entirely lost, or how the letter preserved this singular event to extend through history for our reflection today. Editor: I agree, this has certainly altered my impression— from a brief look into a possible important correspondence of art matters in the day, to consideration of process, social context, the materiality itself that conveys messages of production and archival for generations. Curator: Considering the interplay of image and language, its symbols, it is an honor to spend a short time appreciating how its artistic form captures human interaction so exquisitely.