Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1901 - 1925

This letter to Philip Zilcken is an interesting example of Nieuwenkamp's handwriting. It's amazing to think about how much information and personality can be conveyed through this medium alone, right? I love looking at the textures and physical qualities of a handwritten letter, seeing the pressure of the nib and the way the ink pools in different spots. Look at the loops in the 'd's, and the strong horizontal strokes, they really give the letter a certain rhythm. And notice how the shade changes, giving some words more weight than others. All these little details are what make a letter so special, so human. It reminds me of Cy Twombly's mark-making, the way he used handwriting as a form of drawing. It's all about gesture and expression. In both artists, we find a deep connection to the act of writing itself, not just the message, but the way the message is delivered, which becomes art.