Brief aan Jan Veth 1890s

This is a letter written by Isaac Israels to Jan Veth in 1891, using pen and ink on paper. The choice of materials speaks to the period, when correspondence was a primary means of communication. Consider the labor involved: the production of paper, the mixing of ink, and the physical act of writing. Each stroke of the pen reveals the artist's hand, quite literally. While seemingly mundane, these materials and processes reflect a specific social context. They offer insight into the daily life of an artist in the late 19th century, and the way in which even a simple letter could become a form of personal expression. The letter isn't just a message, it’s a material artifact, connecting us to Israels’s world. By considering the materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the work, blurring the lines between fine art and the everyday.