Huwelijksaankondiging aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1901

This wedding announcement to Philip Zilcken, was made in 1901 by an anonymous artist. I'm immediately drawn to the hand-lettered quality, a simple message that speaks volumes through its understated elegance. I imagine the artist meticulously inking each letter, wrestling with the imperfections of the nib. It's interesting to think about the artist's intention, what they might have been thinking as they created this memento. This piece reminds me of the work of calligraphy artists who use the written word as a form of abstract expression. You know, artists are always in conversation, borrowing and riffing off each other’s ideas, across time. I can't help but see a connection between this artwork and the countless invitations that have been carefully crafted over the centuries. Painting, like handwriting, is an embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty.