Visitekaartje aan Philip Zilcken before 1917

Editor: So, here we have *Visitekaartje aan Philip Zilcken* - or Visiting Card to Philip Zilcken - created by Joseph Romieu sometime before 1917. It’s ink on paper, a small drawing really, dominated by some incredible script typography. It feels...intimate. Like a whispered message. What catches your eye most about this little piece? Curator: Whispered is exactly right. I imagine this was jotted down quickly, a casual but elegant invite. Notice the beautiful flourish of "Mr. & Mme Joseph Romieu," so proper. It's got a dual nature: part formal announcement, part friendly note. Makes you wonder about their relationship, doesn't it? Are they close, or just keeping up appearances? It's interesting to see an invitation presented almost as a piece of art, wouldn't you say? The handwritten nature gives it so much personality that printed type can’t capture. Do you find the color significant at all, with the lavender ink against the ivory of the card? Editor: I hadn't really thought about the colour but, yes, lavender seems fitting – soft and sophisticated. There's something vulnerable in the handwriting too, which also speaks to a time before emails when handwriting expressed personal touch and care. Curator: Yes, absolutely! The colour choice, that subtle hand-lettering. It speaks to values that digital correspondence often lacks – and I am guilty as charged. I do wonder whether the artist made conscious choices, and what kind of emotional affect these decisions made on its viewers! The care given speaks volumes about the value of relationships and art back then! Thank you for opening my eyes too!