Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1876 - 1922

This is a letter from Albert Baertsoen, penned in French, although its exact date is unknown. It offers us a fascinating glimpse into the social and institutional structures of the art world at the turn of the century. The letter discusses the "Cercle Artistique de Gand" or Artistic Circle of Ghent and their plans to organize a collective exhibition. These artistic circles were common in Europe at the time, functioning as a combination of social club, exhibition space, and marketplace for artists. Baertsoen details how this particular circle is abandoning its hall for the "Ets-club" to organize a collective exhibition exclusively reserved for members. The club would be in charge of the costs. The letter illuminates the economics of artistic production, the institutional frameworks that governed it, and the social networks that sustained it. Art historians delve into archival materials like this to better understand the social conditions in which art is made. Understanding these can allow us a greater understanding of the art itself.