Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1908 - 1909

This letter, composed by Jan Diederikus Kruseman in September 1908, is a gesture of gratitude, a thank you note to Philip Zilcken for his kind wishes on Kruseman’s 80th birthday. Look at the texture of the paper, its off-white colour. The ink sits so neatly and evenly on the page. You get a sense of the carefulness and precision of handwriting. It has a certain charm, doesn't it? Imagine Kruseman, pen in hand, carefully forming each letter. Handwriting isn't just about conveying information, it's about the personal touch, the rhythm and flow of the hand. I see in each carefully placed word a sense of connection between Kruseman and Zilcken, a small token of friendship. This small piece of ephemera reminds us that art isn't just about grand gestures and masterpieces. It's also about the small acts of communication, the everyday moments of connection that make up a life. Like a drawing by Agnes Martin, it whispers rather than shouts.