Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1900 - 1907

This handwritten letter was made by Willem Witsen, probably with a dip pen and ink, back in 1902. You can almost see him hunched over his desk, carefully forming each word. The strokes are thick and dark, bearing down on the page, then wispy light as the pen runs out of ink. I imagine him pausing, dipping the pen again, and continuing the flow of thought. Writing letters is like that, isn’t it? A stop-start rhythm, a conversation with someone who isn't there. The letter is full of congratulations and warm wishes for a friend. It’s about architecture and ventures. A personal note, yet also hinting at bigger projects and ideas being worked out. There is something so intimate and vulnerable about handwriting, about seeing the actual pressure of the hand on the page. It reminds us that art, even in its most functional forms, is ultimately about human connection and expression.