Gezicht op het Mallegat, te Delft Possibly 1890 - 1897

Editor: So, here we have "Gezicht op het Mallegat, te Delft," an etching by Philip Zilcken, likely created between 1890 and 1897. The print is quite delicate. The spire in the background and the boats give a real sense of place. How do you see this work fitting into its historical context? Curator: The quiet beauty of this cityscape belies the period’s socio-political anxieties. Etchings like these were, on one hand, celebrating Dutch identity and its unique urban landscapes during a time of rapid industrialization and shifting power structures. Zilcken focuses our attention on the enduring architecture of Delft, almost as a symbol of stability. Editor: Stability in what sense? Curator: Think about it – what aspects of identity are privileged and which are silenced when an artist focuses solely on the built environment? Where are the working classes, the marginalized communities, within this picture of Delft? Are we offered an uncritical affirmation of national identity here? The choice of subject matter – the spire and waterways – directs our gaze upwards and outwards. How does the viewpoint perhaps suggest power dynamics within the social strata of Delft at the time? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the absence of certain narratives. It definitely reframes my view of the artwork – the focus on grand architecture serves to mute any underlying societal problems of the time. It highlights how seemingly tranquil landscape art can play a role in the broader narrative around power, history and national identity. Curator: Exactly! Art, even the most picturesque landscape, is always implicated in the social and political realities of its time. Editor: This etching serves as a reminder to consider whose stories are missing and how those omissions contribute to shaping historical narratives.