Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1902

This letter to Philip Zilcken was written by Vittorio Pica from Naples in 1902. Just look at the way the ink bleeds into the fibers of the page. It is so incredibly tactile. You can almost feel the texture of the paper. The handwriting cascades down the page, the letters varying in weight and pressure, sometimes elegant and sometimes rushed. Look at the names towards the bottom. I see Redon listed there; it makes me think of the network of artists and writers, all in conversation with each other. Pica must have known Zilcken was a well-connected, influential figure. This letter makes me think about artmaking as a process of communication, with each stroke and flourish carrying intention. It feels very human, in all its messiness and beauty. It reminds me of my own process – how I try to embrace the unexpected and let the materials guide me. This letter is not just a message; it’s a record of a moment in time, a gesture preserved.