Overlijdensbericht aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1902 - 1908

This funeral announcement for the painter Taco Mesdag was made in 1902. Can you imagine the words carefully arranged on the page, each letter a small, deliberate stroke? I’m always moved by these intimate artifacts that give us a glimpse into the lives of artists. There’s a starkness here, but also a quiet dignity, like a final, respectful portrait of a life dedicated to art. The way the text is laid out, with the artist's name so prominently displayed, it’s as if they’re making one last attempt to be remembered. It makes me think about the conversations that artists have with each other, not just through words, but through the silent language of form and color and line. It's a reminder that artists are always speaking to one another across time. Every brushstroke, every word, is part of a larger dialogue.