Brief aan Philip Zilcken before 1926

Curator: Here we have "Brief aan Philip Zilcken," a letter predating 1926 by Rose Imel, executed in ink on paper. It’s a wonderful example of calligraphy. Editor: The script itself looks like a fragile vine climbing the page, a personal document somehow monumental in its vulnerability. The way the ink bleeds ever so slightly gives it this very ephemeral quality. Curator: The handwritten letter as a medium holds significant cultural weight. Before typewriters and digital communication, such letters were crucial for maintaining personal and professional relationships, each curve and flourish carrying individual expression. The act of writing, particularly with ink, had a certain formality and intentionality. Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about the materiality, though—paper and ink were relatively accessible even then. It speaks to a more democratic form of creation, far from the bronze casting we often discuss. It invites consideration of her labour, and the time invested. Do we know much about Imel’s social context or if she created in other media? Curator: Unfortunately, little biographical information is readily available. However, her use of calligraphy situates her within a tradition valuing script as both communication and art. The handwritten form gives the text a warmth that printed text often lacks, creating a tangible connection between writer and recipient. Even viewing it now, the flowing strokes evoke a sense of intimacy and directness. Editor: Considering this intimacy alongside its survival for almost a century is intriguing. The paper itself seems delicate, begging the question of how it was preserved, what journey it took. There’s a story implicit in its survival too, beyond just its creation. Curator: Indeed, this small missive serves as both a record of personal history and a reminder of broader cultural practices regarding correspondence. Editor: It feels grounding. Amidst vast canvases and sculptures, to encounter this intimate, almost whispered note reminds us that art is also present in everyday communication.