Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1920

This postcard was written to Philip Zilcken by Henri Verstijnen in 1920. The blue ink is applied with a delicate touch, the handwriting looping across the page with a nervous energy, like a bird taking flight. The texture of the paper is smooth, aged to a creamy tone which serves as a soft ground for the writing. The ink sits on the surface, slightly raised, catching the light, the gentle pressure of the pen creating a rhythmic flow. Note the way certain letters are formed with a flourish, as though the act of writing itself is a kind of performance. The long tails on the ‘g’ and ‘y’ reach down the page like threads, connecting words and phrases in a visual dance. This piece reminds me of Cy Twombly's scrawled paintings, where language becomes a form of abstract expression. There's a similar sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if we're witnessing the artist's thoughts as they unfold on the page, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.