Brief aan Jan Veth Possibly 1900 - 1910

Here we have a letter to Jan Veth by Antoon Derkinderen, made in 1900 with ink on paper, and it's a reminder that artmaking is an exchange, a conversation. It's like the artist is thinking through writing. What strikes me first is the rhythm in the loops and lines, so similar to handwriting. The penmanship carries a kind of controlled spontaneity, each word carefully formed yet flowing seamlessly into the next. I love how the loops of the 'B' in Beste, and the flourish in the signature underneath, give a weight to this small piece of paper. There's a beautiful density to the ink, with a light paper showing through – which is like the negative space in a drawing. It reminds me of the letters of Van Gogh to Theo, how these small missives can be a window into the creative process. Like Van Gogh, Derkinderen is engaged in an ongoing dialogue, a conversation across time and space. It's a reminder that art is not just about the final product but about the journey, the exchange of ideas, and the connections we make along the way.