Brief aan de heer Den Tex Possibly 1914 - 1916

Curator: So, here we have Willem Witsen’s “Brief aan de heer Den Tex,” likely created between 1914 and 1916, composed with ink on paper. Editor: It really strikes me as… humble. It's just ink, just paper, but it holds so much personal history. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, the labor involved grabs my attention. Think about the specific materials used – the ink, the paper itself. Where did they come from? Who manufactured them? What were the working conditions of those involved? Editor: Wow, I never thought about the actual production of the paper and ink! Curator: This wasn't just Witsen in isolation. It’s a culmination of various social and economic forces, reflecting a network of manufacturing, distribution and even global trade networks, given its provenance as a letter written from Switzerland. How might this context shape our understanding of the letter's message and intent? Editor: It definitely makes me reconsider it as an object, not just a personal message. Was this high-quality stationary? Was it something readily available or exclusive? Curator: Exactly! These details would offer insights into Witsen’s social standing, and his access to resources in relation to others. Furthermore, how does viewing it digitally impact your understanding of its materiality? Editor: That’s a really good question. Seeing it on a screen definitely flattens its presence. The texture, the potential imperfections of the paper... it’s all lost. Curator: So much of what is lost, that reveals information about production and the people behind the materiality. It pushes us to remember how artworks are essentially made by people as a form of communication. Editor: That's such a refreshing perspective! I'll definitely look at art with a more material-focused eye moving forward.