Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1901 - 1930

This letter to Philip Zilcken, penned in July 1901 by Léon Paschal, showcases a fascinating dance of script and symbol. The very act of writing, of forming letters into words, echoes the ancient art of conveying meaning through signs. Consider the signature, a personal hieroglyph. It reappears throughout history—from royal decrees to artist’s marks—each iteration subtly shifting in meaning, yet always asserting identity. The flourish of the pen, its loops and curves, are not merely functional. Like the caduceus, entwined snakes spiraling around a staff, it speaks to something deeper. The physical act of writing, the hand guiding the pen, embodies a kind of ritual. The emotional weight carried by the gesture, the intent and care embedded within each stroke, engages us on a subconscious level, and is a practice that has lost precedence in the modern day. As our methods of communication evolve, it becomes increasingly difficult to engage with previous modes, which have become obscured by time. The non-linear and cyclical progression of symbols in letters resurfaces with each written piece, evolving and taking on new meanings in different contexts.