Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1888

This letter to Philip Zilcken was penned by Bart van Hove in Amsterdam, and it speaks volumes about the value we place on skilled work. Looking at the paper, the ink, the deliberate script, we're reminded of the labor and time invested in simply communicating thoughts. Before mass-produced paper and ballpoint pens, writing was a craft. Every stroke of the pen was a conscious act, a testament to literacy and refined skill. The letter hints at a world where artistic talent was nurtured and apprenticed, a world far removed from our present moment of instant messaging. This material artifact invites us to consider the historical context of communication, the value of craftsmanship, and the social hierarchies embedded in the act of writing itself. Appreciating it means seeing beyond the words to recognize the social and cultural significance of its making.