Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1923

This is "Brief aan Philip Zilcken" by Alphonse Stengelin, made with ink on paper. It’s a drawing, or maybe even an etching, of a sheep – simple lines describe the animal, all scratchy and a little unsure, which gives it a lovely, humble quality. You can see the process so clearly, the way the artist built up the form with these hesitant marks. I love the economy of the line, how much is suggested with so little. Look at the sheep's wool – it's just a scribble, really, but it totally conveys the texture. And the way the legs are kind of spindly and awkward, it’s very endearing. Then below the drawing is the handwritten letter. It reminds me a bit of some of Philip Guston's later, more cartoonish works, in the sense of embracing a kind of raw, almost childlike way of drawing. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be polished or perfect; it can be about capturing a feeling, a moment, with whatever means you have at your disposal.