Brief aan August Allebé Possibly 1888

This letter to August Allebé was crafted in Amsterdam on March 19, 1888, by a member of the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten. At first glance, it's merely a note about Easter vacation, but consider the symbol of Easter itself. Easter, or Pascha, is a powerful symbol of rebirth and renewal deeply rooted in both Christian and Jewish traditions. It signifies the transition from darkness to light, from death to life. We see this theme echoed across millennia— the Egyptian scarab beetle pushing the sun across the sky, or the phoenix rising from ashes. The idea of cyclical return resonates within us all. Carl Jung spoke of archetypes, universal patterns embedded in our collective unconscious. This yearning for renewal is a testament to the enduring human spirit, a force that continues to shape our art. This letter is not just ink on paper; it's a conduit connecting us to this ancient, shared human experience.