Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1887

This letter was written by Willem Witsen on February 4th, 1887. It is ink on paper, everyday materials that take on significance through the act of writing. The strokes of the pen create a deeply personal texture. The ink bleeds slightly into the paper, revealing the absorbency of the material and the speed of the writing. The density of the ink varies with the pressure of Witsen’s hand, creating a visual rhythm across the page. We can imagine the social context from which it emerged: the intimate exchange between individuals, the postal service, the quiet act of reading. It’s interesting to consider this letter as a carefully considered composition, the arrangement of the words themselves creating an aesthetic experience. In this way, the letter transcends its function as mere communication, and enters the realm of art. It reminds us that the boundary between everyday life and fine art is always porous and permeable.