Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1919

Here we have a letter to Philip Zilcken, written by Gabriel Mourey in Neuilly-sur-Seine, in 1919. Look at the way the ink bleeds into the paper, how the strokes vary from thick to thin, and the overall forward-leaning pressure of the handwriting. It gives the impression of urgency, as if the words are rushing to get out. The materiality of the paper and ink is crucial. The creamy off-white color of the page contrasts with the dark, almost black, ink. Notice how the handwriting loops and curls, sometimes connecting words, sometimes breaking off abruptly. It's a dance of intention and accident, much like the process of painting. I'm drawn to the way the letters form words, and the words, in turn, create sentences that convey thoughts and ideas. It’s like the individual brushstrokes in a painting coming together to create a cohesive image. The flow of Mourey’s handwriting reminds me of Cy Twombly’s scribbled paintings. Both embrace the beauty of imperfection and the power of suggestion, proving that art is not about perfect execution, but about the energy and emotion conveyed through the simplest of marks.