Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1901 - 1903

This letter was written in March 1901 by Jan Toorop, and I am immediately drawn to his handwriting – like looking into the mind of another painter! The words cascade down the page, each stroke varying in pressure and weight, giving a glimpse into the artist's hand as it moved across the paper. You know, sometimes I think about how writing and drawing really aren't that different – they're both about making marks, expressing yourself, and trying to communicate something from inside your head to the outside world. Toorop is writing to Philip Zilcken, perhaps about an upcoming exhibition… I wonder what other little drawings Toorop would be willing to show? I imagine he’s keen to put his best foot forward. Looking at this, I'm reminded that we're all just trying to leave our mark, connect with each other, and keep the conversation going. Like painters, writers are in an ongoing conversation, sharing ideas and inspiring each other across time. It's pretty awesome, right?