Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1870 - 1922

This is a letter to Philip Zilcken, written by Arij Prins at an unknown date. The materials are humble: paper and ink, deployed in the most direct way possible, handwriting. The quality of the paper, its slight discoloration, and the ink used all convey a sense of personal touch. The handwritten script becomes a form of intimate exchange, with the penmanship revealing aspects of Prins’s character and frame of mind. In a time when personal communication was more tactile and deliberate, penmanship was highly valued. The act of handwriting itself is a slow, deliberate process. Each stroke is a direct transfer of thought to paper, making the letter a direct trace of the artist’s presence. We can imagine Prins carefully forming each word, reflecting on his message as the ink flows from the pen. In our digital age, a handwritten letter stands apart, inviting us to consider the value of labor, attention, and personal expression that it embodies. It prompts us to value the materiality and unique qualities inherent in crafted objects.