Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1903 - 1908

Willem Witsen wrote this letter to Philip Zilcken in 1905, with a pen, and, I assume, ink. The letters are formed with real care, and each word is carefully placed on the page. The handwriting here gives the impression of someone who’s really considered each mark. There’s a kind of performance in the strokes that make up each word, it gives the impression the note is heartfelt and carefully constructed. Look at the way the 'A' of 'Amice' leans so delicately, like it is bowing in greeting. I think about artists like Cy Twombly and how they elevated handwriting and the personal mark to high art. I guess what I am getting at is that a painter's hand is evident in all of their work, no matter the medium. It is an intrinsic part of their style, and their art. We could say the same for Witsen's paintings. His style is very recognizable, even in something as intimate as a handwritten letter. And handwriting, just like art, is open to interpretation and personal to the author.