Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1913

This is a letter by Gerret Pieter Rouffaer, likely written with ink on paper, though the exact date is unknown. The dominant visual element is the dense, flowing script that covers the page. The letterform creates a complex texture of lines, loops, and strokes against the pale background. The arrangement of the text reveals an interesting structure. The writing begins with salutations and dates in the upper right corner, then cascades down the page, filling the space almost entirely, and creating a visual hierarchy. Rouffaer is using language not just for communication, but also as a visual form. Viewed through a structuralist lens, the letter represents a system of signs. Each word is a signifier, pointing to a signified concept. Rouffaer uses this system to convey not only information but also his attitude, emotion, and the relationship between himself and the recipient. The density and flow of the script may be an attempt to overcome the distance between the sender and recipient.