Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1897

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent by Willem de Zwart, likely around 1900, addressed to Philip Zilcken, both of whom were Dutch artists. Looking at the card, one might first consider its function in the context of the art world. A postcard suggests an intimate, informal communication, perhaps between peers. The cost of postage, two and a half cents, was relatively low, making it an accessible means of communication for artists navigating the turn-of-the-century art scene in the Netherlands. The postmark indicates it was sent from The Hague, a city with a rich artistic tradition and various art institutions. Zilcken is addressed as Kunstschilder, or artist, indicating a professional connection between the two men, perhaps involving exhibitions or artistic collaborations. To fully understand the social dynamics at play, one could delve into archival materials such as exhibition catalogues, artists' correspondence, and records from the various art societies and academies in the Netherlands during this period. These sources would shed light on the relationships between artists, the circulation of ideas, and the institutional structures that shaped their careers.