Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen 1874

Curator: So, here we have Charles Rochussen’s "Brief aan Frans Buffa en Zonen", created in 1874. It’s an ink and pen drawing on paper, held at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a very practical, almost bureaucratic object, given that it's literally a letter. How does it strike you? Editor: It’s definitely a more humble and personal kind of artwork than a lot of paintings we see. What is the role of such works on paper beyond the purely communicative? Curator: Precisely! Consider the labor involved. Rochussen wasn't just dashing this off. He chose his paper, mixed his ink, carefully formed each letter. These materials speak to a certain social standing, access to resources, and, of course, literacy. How does that affect how we might classify this compared to an oil painting for example? Editor: It sort of blurs the lines between practical writing and artistic expression. It feels like both a means of communication and an example of crafted handwriting, which also is now slightly alien. Were letters viewed with different status than ‘art’ during this time? Curator: Absolutely. In the 19th century, there were very clear divisions in the art world, a strict hierarchy between high art and what was seen as merely craft. Looking at a letter like this challenges that. It makes you think about the unseen labor involved in artistic creation. The consumption of materials too, like the pen nib itself. Was it mass produced, artisanal? These details place the artist and the receiver into a web of 19th-century production. Editor: That’s a really interesting perspective. I hadn’t considered all the levels of work and process, all of that material, tied to even a short letter! Thanks! Curator: Indeed, recognizing that these things themselves carry significance offers new modes of engagement with works like this.