Aantekening uit archief Philip Zilcken before 1898

This annotated sheet of paper was created by Philip Zilcken, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It is a humble object, made with everyday materials: paper and ink. But the real story here is the labor of inscription. The artist has carefully written a list of names and places. This would have been an act of mindful attention, each word carefully considered. The handwritten quality of the list also gives it a personal touch. We can only guess the purpose of this list. Was it a shopping list? A list of contacts? Or perhaps a record of artworks Zilcken admired? Whatever its purpose, this unassuming piece of paper reminds us that even the most functional objects can be imbued with artistic intention. It invites us to consider the value we place on handwritten communication in our digital age, where so much is typed and printed.