Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1897

This is a letter written by Johannes de Koo in 1897. While the image contains no figurative motifs in the traditional sense, the handwriting itself functions as a potent symbol. Each stroke of the pen, each flourish and curve, carries the unique imprint of the artist’s hand and mind. Consider how handwriting has been used across time. In ancient cultures, calligraphy was not merely a form of writing, but a sacred art, imbued with spiritual and magical power. The act of writing, carefully and deliberately, was a ritual, a way of connecting with divine forces. In later periods, handwriting became a marker of social status and education, reflecting the individual’s character and refinement. Now, reflect on the act of writing a personal letter. In a world dominated by digital communication, this physical gesture carries an emotional weight. The act of writing, putting pen to paper, becomes an expression of intimacy, a reaching out across time and space to connect with another human being. This letter is no longer just a message, it’s an artifact imbued with the essence of human connection.