Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1896

This is a letter by Stéphane Mallarmé to Philip Zilcken. Mallarmé was a leading figure in the Symbolist movement, which eschewed direct representation in favor of suggestion and the evocation of subjective states. This movement emerged in the late 19th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization and social change. Mallarmé, known for his emphasis on the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of art, often explored themes of beauty, mortality, and the search for ideal forms through his writing. In the letter, we see Mallarmé grappling with the challenges of conveying complex ideas through language. The letter reads: "Here are the proofs. It is difficult to judge suppressions to make from what one can keep, unless one has everything before one's eyes; because only the overall effect would advise us. I allowed him to correct them, while..." The letter provides insight into Mallarmé's artistic process and his belief in the power of language to evoke emotions and sensations. It's a reminder of the emotional and intellectual labor that underlies artistic creation.