Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1898

This is a letter written in 1898 by Albrecht Felix Reicher, a Dutch painter and graphic artist, to Philip Zilcken. Reicher asks Zilcken for the fee from an etching sold in Venice, which amounted to 25 guilders. The art world of the late 19th century was rapidly changing. Artists increasingly relied on dealers, exhibitions, and sales to survive. Venice, with its picturesque canals and vibrant atmosphere, was a popular subject for artists. The mention of an etching sold in Venice hints at the commercial side of art, and Reicher’s request for payment points to his dependence on the art market. Letters like this one, along with sales records and exhibition catalogs, can provide a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of artists. These historical documents help us understand how artists navigated the social and economic structures of their time. By studying these sources, we can better appreciate the complex relationship between art and society.