Prentbriefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1911 - 1923

This is a postcard, probably from 1911, addressed to Philip Zilcken, written by Vittorio Pica. Look at this elegant cursive! It’s a reminder that making art, like writing, is essentially a process. The act of putting pen to paper, or brush to canvas, is a physical, almost performative endeavor. The color of the ink is a beautiful, pale turquoise, delicate yet clear. The texture of the paper suggests it's quite old. Notice how the ink subtly bleeds into the paper, creating soft, blurred edges. Consider the way the words flow across the surface, almost like a calligraphic painting. The stamp on the card, and other markings are interesting as a record of its journey. When I look at this, I think of Cy Twombly and his interest in language, mark-making, and the poetics of gesture. Both Twombly and Pica, in their own ways, highlight the beauty and expressive potential of simple lines and marks. Ultimately, this card invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of ephemeral communication.