Aantekening aan Philip Zilcken before 1905

Editor: This is "Aantekening aan Philip Zilcken," a drawing in ink on paper by Carel F.L. de Wild, dating from before 1905. At first glance, it just looks like a handwritten note. What do you see in this piece, beyond just a shopping list? Curator: More than meets the eye, right? I see whispers of artistic intent, seeds of future paintings maybe. Each phrase is a little poem. "Asparagus," a still life waiting to happen! Then “Kindzi in Stock”… perhaps a note regarding what can be sold. Does it not hint at a bustling marketplace? It's a fragmented peek into an artist’s thought process. A little haphazard, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: It is a bit messy! I'm interested in the line that includes the word “still life”– could this artist be planning a still life piece or other art, and perhaps documenting supplies to get for it? Curator: Precisely. I think you’re on the right track, though “documentation” feels a bit cold for what’s going on here, doesn't it? Perhaps the words are serving as reminders to engage. Little nudges of artistic direction, personal memos to pay attention. Notes toward possibilities. Do you notice that X next to a couple items as well, such as for “Kranenbarg”? Why are certain terms specifically denoted in such ways? Editor: That's interesting. I'm not entirely sure, maybe they were tasks the artist thought especially important or wished to mark for separate evaluation? It shows us, the viewers, what exactly this work can be reduced to: thought and intent. It isn't really *about* anything except the musings of de Wild! Curator: Nicely said, an intent to produce or to capture essence itself. And like any thought process, it meanders. A true symphony. Editor: Well, this makes me want to go rummage through the notebooks of other artists! Curator: Couldn't agree more. It changes how you look at unfinished thoughts, doesn't it? The seed of something incredible...or just a nice bunch of asparagus!