Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1923 - 1924

This is an old postcard addressed to Philip Zilcken, made sometime in the early 20th century by Alphonse Stengelin. I find myself thinking about the marks, the hand of the artist visible in every stroke, every letter. It makes me think about process, about the art of communication before we had everything instantly, now. I'm drawn to the texture of the card, the slightly faded ink, and the way the handwriting fills every available space. Those angled scribbles covering the left-hand side are a language in themselves. It's like looking at a secret code, personal and intimate, and it reminds me of Cy Twombly's work, actually. Ultimately, a piece like this invites us to slow down, to consider the layers of meaning and the passage of time and, most importantly, to remember that art, like conversation, is an ongoing exchange.