Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1928

This is a letter to Philip Zilcken, written by Carla van Geuns, likely with a dip pen and ink, back in 1920. The marks are so revealing, right? The controlled loops and tight kerning remind me that writing is drawing, and that every line carries weight, rhythm, and intention. I’m really drawn to the opening flourish of “Cher ami.” Look how the ink pools at the bottom of the letters, creating tiny dark accents. It speaks to the intimacy and directness of the communication. The density of the writing also creates a kind of texture. The lines, so close together, form a visual pattern, almost like a woven surface. This reminds me of Cy Twombly’s scribbled paintings. Both artists share a fascination with the expressive potential of the written mark, blurring the lines between language and abstraction. Ultimately, both embrace the ambiguity and open-endedness that makes art so endlessly fascinating.