Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1921

This is a letter to Philip Zilcken, written on December 22, 1944, by Ferdinand-Sigismund Bac from Menton Garavan. Bac was the grandson of Napoleon’s youngest brother, and his life and work were deeply shaped by his aristocratic lineage and the historical currents of his time. During the Second World War, while France was under Nazi occupation, this letter was written, hinting at the personal struggles and resilience amidst widespread conflict. Bac expresses his willingness to be involved in a new association, but laments that his health is preventing him from doing so. The letter conveys a sense of personal and societal fragility, marked by the backdrop of war and the artist’s declining health. In this historical context, the desire to remain useful or involved speaks to the human need for connection and purpose, even as personal and societal conditions crumble. This letter reflects the emotional and personal dimensions of an artist grappling with his identity and place in a world torn apart by war.