Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1885

This is a letter from Gerke Henkes to Philip Zilcken, written in 1885. At first glance, it may seem a simple form of communication. However, it offers a fascinating lens through which to view the social networks of the art world during the late 19th century in the Netherlands. The letter itself, penned in a neat, legible hand, provides a sense of the formal communication styles between artists and their associates. The references to other figures, such as "heer van Lommel," hint at a close-knit artistic community, one in which artists supported each other. We can imagine how patronage worked, with artists networking to find new commissions. Was Henkes' relationship with Zilcken purely professional, or did it extend into a deeper friendship? To understand this letter fully, we would need to delve into archives, biographies, and exhibition records. Only then can we truly appreciate the social and institutional dynamics that shaped the art of Gerke Henkes' time.