Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1891 - 1896

This Briefkaart, or postcard, was created in the Netherlands in 1891 by Anton L. Koster and sent to Philip Zilcken, an artist. The very existence of this postcard speaks to a burgeoning art world and its supporting infrastructure. The postal system, with its stamps and postmarks, represents a modern communication network that facilitates artistic exchange. Notice the sender identifies Zilcken as "Kunstschilder", or artist, suggesting an established artistic identity and community. The card’s journey from The Hague to Haarlem underscores a network of artists, galleries, and patrons that are not apparent in the art of the time. By studying archival material like this, along with exhibition catalogs, period journals, and artists' correspondence, we gain a richer understanding of the social and institutional forces that shape the creation and reception of art. The meaning of art is contingent on its historical, social, and institutional context.