Aantekening 1867 - 1930

This letter was written by Philip Zilcken, around the turn of the 20th century. It's a small piece of paper, covered with handwriting in blue ink. The paper itself is quite ordinary, likely mass-produced, reflecting the increasing availability of such materials during this time. But it’s the handwriting that really makes this document special. Consider the act of writing: it requires literacy, leisure time, and a certain level of education. The cursive script suggests a personal touch, a direct connection between the writer’s thoughts and the physical act of putting pen to paper. It is an intimate form of communication, distinct from the increasingly mechanized forms of communication, such as the printing press or, later, the typewriter. By focusing on the material qualities and the process of its making, we can appreciate how even the most ordinary objects can reveal something about the social and cultural context in which they were created. It makes us rethink what we mean by ‘art,’ and who gets to make it.