Brief aan Ary Johannes Lamme Possibly 1861 - 1868

This letter was handwritten by C. Engelberts. The art here resides less in pictorial representation, and more in the symbols embedded within the language itself. Notice the deliberate, almost calligraphic style of the script. Words were thought to contain a certain power in many cultures, a means to conjure emotions, and exert influence. Even today, we speak of 'casting spells' with words, a vestige of the belief in their inherent magic. Consider how this belief in the power of the written word has evolved. From ancient incantations to modern legal documents, the act of writing has always been imbued with authority. The penmanship suggests a connection to rituals, where the visual form of the letters is as important as their meaning, much like the patterns in a tapestry or the strokes of a painter’s brush. This letter, therefore, transcends its immediate purpose. It embodies a deep-seated human need to communicate, to create order, and to leave a lasting impression through symbolic expression.