Brief aan onbekend Possibly 1895

Curator: Here at the Rijksmuseum, we have a drawing titled "Brief aan onbekend" – that’s “Letter to an Unknown” – by Philip Zilcken, possibly from 1895. It's crafted with ink on paper. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: There’s something very intimate about it, almost melancholic. The script feels quite loose and flowing. I’m drawn to the delicacy of the lines and the way the light catches the paper; it gives the whole piece a muted, subdued mood. Curator: Indeed. Zilcken was quite involved in the art world; he was a prominent critic, artist, and also served on the board of the Rijksmuseum. This letter gives a small glimpse into the institutional workings and interpersonal relationships of that world. Letters, in their time, fulfilled social and administrative functions we now often conduct via telephone, email or, instant messaging, don’t they? Editor: Absolutely, letters such as this one, functioned as vital tools for communicating within society's various spheres of influence and activity. Considering its composition, it's fascinating how Zilcken controls the balance between clarity and expression in each stroke. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the page, capturing his thoughts and ideas on the page, and thus his sensibility. Curator: Right, and considering Zilcken's roles, you can almost see this piece as existing where personal correspondence met professional networking. It brings to mind the importance of such communications in constructing an artist's reputation and maintaining social capital back then. The content certainly lends to this context with some polite yet urgent request from the artist. Editor: It is this dual existence between art and personal writing that gives it an aesthetic interest. Even though it may lack striking imagery, its delicate construction and clear expressive lines make it beautiful in and of itself. There is no shortage of formal appeal for any observer, regardless of knowing or ignoring what might be the letter's topic of discussion. Curator: Well, whether regarding an urgent request or the most quotidian greeting, this letter to an unknown allows us to touch upon some exciting details of an active intellectual life. Editor: Exactly! The simplicity in the materiality creates something truly beautiful; I feel there’s also beauty in its directness, that handwritten character, its formal choices of style and design; altogether very insightful.