Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1923 - 1924

Henri Verstijnen made this handwritten letter to Philip Zilcken, sometime in the early 20th century, with ink on paper. The letter is an intimate medium, something that's literally passed through the artist's hand. I wonder what Verstijnen was thinking about as he put pen to paper? His elegant script flows across the page, each word carefully crafted. The ink bleeds slightly, creating a soft texture. You can almost hear the scratching of the pen, sense the rhythm of his thoughts. It reminds me of Cy Twombly, in the way that each stroke communicates a direct line of thought. Painters, writers, we're all in an ongoing conversation, exchanging ideas across time, inspiring each other's creativity. This letter shows how much can be expressed through the simplest of means. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be grand or imposing. Sometimes, the most powerful works are the ones that speak to us in a quiet, personal way.