Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1920 - 1925

This letter to Philip Zilcken was written in 1920 by Rose Imel. I like to imagine Imel, pen in hand, carefully forming each word, the gentle pressure of the nib against the page, the graceful loops and lines filling the space with intention. I sympathize with her; sometimes, writing a letter is like composing a painting. Each stroke of the pen, like a brushstroke, builds upon the last, slowly revealing the picture. The texture of the paper and the flow of ink affect the work, just like the weave of the canvas and the viscosity of the paint impact a painting. Imel’s handwriting – the slant of the letters, the weight of the lines – it all contributes to the feeling of intimacy and connection. You can feel the personality of the artist coming through. Painters and writers are in conversation across time, inspiring one another. This letter reminds me that all forms of expression embrace ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.