Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1900 - 1915

Gustave Geffroy penned this letter to Philip Zilcken in Paris on August 11, 1900. Here, the written word, a powerful symbol, takes center stage. The act of writing itself carries a weighty cultural significance, reminiscent of ancient scribes meticulously preserving knowledge. The personal letter echoes the tradition of correspondence as a vehicle for intimacy, connection, and the exchange of ideas. Note how the careful formation of letters mirror the artist's own meticulous brushstrokes. In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, the handwritten letter stands as a testament to a slower, more deliberate form of expression. The gesture of sending a letter—the anticipation of its arrival, the tactile experience of holding it—evokes a powerful emotional response, a longing for human connection in an age of increasing alienation. It calls us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the enduring power of the written word.