Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1908

This letter to August Allebé was written by Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas in Brussels. I imagine his hand moving across the page, the ink flowing to make these dark, looping words. It’s interesting how we can sense the pace of his thoughts through the script. See how the letters lean forward? You can feel him getting caught up in his own news, sharing updates about family and work. I love how the physical act of writing becomes a kind of performance. It shows not just what he's saying, but how he’s feeling as he says it. The slant and pressure of the pen reflect a state of mind, and that speaks volumes. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s scribbled paintings—these marks carry something deeply human. The beauty of painting and writing lies in this ambiguity, this possibility for multiple readings. It’s an ongoing conversation, isn’t it?