Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1918

Alphonse Stengelin made this letter to Philip Zilcken in 1918, a message delivered by hand. The ink strokes feel immediate, like thoughts captured as they emerge. It’s funny how handwriting can feel so intimate, right? Look at the way the letters lean and loop, the pressure and release of the pen creating a rhythm that’s almost like a heartbeat. Notice how the letter 'p' dives below the line, full of exuberance, compared to the more restrained, careful formations of the other letters. It’s these tiny variations that give the writing its personality, its particular voice. I am reminded of Cy Twombly's scrawls, yet, this is something altogether different. Here, the line is not searching for something, but delivering a message. Ultimately, this letter reminds us that art exists in many forms. It’s in the grand gesture of a painting, sure, but also in the quiet intimacy of a handwritten note.