Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1903 - 1918

This letter to Philip Zilcken was written by Maria Viola with ink on paper. Look at the way Viola’s handwritten script dances across the page, each word a delicate stroke of dark ink against the pale, fibrous surface of the paper. It's kind of beautiful, right? The lines are so thin you can almost see through them, like wisps of thought captured in fluid motion. There’s a rhythm, a pulse, in the way the letters connect and diverge, creating a visual tapestry that invites you to linger and explore. Notice how the ink pools in certain areas, creating tiny shadows that add depth and dimension to the words. Each stroke feels deliberate, yet spontaneous, as if Viola’s thoughts flowed directly from her mind to the page. The texture of the paper seems to absorb the ink, creating a subtle interplay between light and shadow that enhances the overall sense of intimacy and connection. Viola’s letter reminds me of the drawings of Dorothea Tanning, both share that sense of dreamlike wonder. It suggests that art is ultimately a conversation, a dialogue between artist, medium, and viewer that transcends time and space.