Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1868 - 1921

Fernand Khnopff, a Belgian symbolist painter, created this letter to Philip Zilcken, a Dutch artist and art critic, in the late 19th or early 20th century using ink on paper. At the time, the art world was governed by institutions such as the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which promoted traditional styles and themes. However, Khnopff and other symbolist artists challenged these norms by exploring subjective, dreamlike, and often unsettling imagery. This letter may be part of the correspondence between artists and critics that shaped the reception of symbolist art. To understand the context of this letter, scholars might consult archives of artistic correspondence, exhibition catalogs, and period publications. These primary sources can shed light on the social networks and intellectual debates that shaped the art of Khnopff's time. Letters such as this offer a look at the social conditions that shape artistic production and reception.