Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1834 - 1904

Jean-Léon Gérôme wrote this letter to Philip Zilcken in Paris. The artist employed pen and ink on paper, materials we might consider modest, yet they carry the weight of direct human interaction. The ink, fluid and dark, records the gestural movement of Gérôme’s hand, as he translates thoughts into written form. Note the pressure applied to each stroke, creating a calligraphy that reflects the artist’s personality and emotion. The choice of paper, its texture and absorbency, also plays a role, influencing the flow of ink and the overall appearance of the letter. Handwritten correspondence was once a central part of social life, requiring both literacy and leisure, but also implying a certain degree of social distance - after all, Gérôme could not simply pick up a phone and immediately speak with Zilcken. Instead, he had to commit his thoughts to paper, and then trust in the postal system. So this isn’t just a message; it’s a physical record of a social ritual. This letter then, provides an intimate glimpse into the artist’s world.