Brief aan Philip Zilcken before 1924

Curator: We’re looking at a letter here, titled “Brief aan Philip Zilcken,” made by Jan Toorop before 1924. It resides here in the Rijksmuseum. It's a drawing in pen and ink on paper, displaying Toorop’s unmistakable Art Nouveau style. Editor: You know, the immediate impression is of something quite delicate. The paper seems almost frail, like a dried flower, and the script is so fine—you can almost feel the pressure of the pen on the page. It's incredibly personal. Curator: It is. I imagine Toorop carefully selected the paper, given the significance he placed on the very act of mark-making. It isn't just the message that’s conveyed here, but the materiality itself becomes part of the story. The flow of ink and texture of the paper show the craft of communication itself, don't you think? Editor: I do. Toorop sees words almost as precious objects, or intricate patterns to be composed with visual, expressive intent. More so since handwriting creates this strange feeling of being close to someone in a way that cold, machine-made typing would never do. The human touch makes such a difference, I find. Curator: Yes, in the art nouveau spirit. I mean, imagine how radical that seemed at a time of increasing industrialization and standardization! Think of the societal forces encouraging efficiency, uniformity… Toorop chooses to amplify the hand-made, the unique, in even a simple letter. What did those decisions signal for Toorop? Editor: Perhaps he recognized something inherently dehumanizing in the drive for perfect production. You look at the loops and swirls, and there's something subversive about the gesture itself. He elevates a mundane piece of correspondence, imbuing it with artistry, resistance even. Curator: Exactly. Every curve a subtle act of defiance against the machine. What resonates for me is how seemingly ordinary materials - pen, ink, paper - can, through the lens of artistic intent, become imbued with such potent symbolism and meaning. Editor: And how that artistry provides such direct intimacy. Now I almost feel that I know this long-gone, intriguing Jan Toorop! Curator: That is exactly right. That level of presence and material connection across time. Amazing.