Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1854 - 1914

This is a letter, written in Dutch by Albert Neuhuys on paper, but its exact date is unknown. It is addressed to Philip Zilcken. Letters like this offer a personal glimpse into the art world of the late 19th century. Consider the social conditions that enabled this correspondence. The rise of literacy, affordable postal services, and a shared cultural milieu made such exchanges possible. Neuhuys was part of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists known for their realistic depictions of rural life. His paintings often portrayed peasants and farmers, reflecting a broader interest in social realism that was prevalent in Europe at the time. Analyzing this letter requires archival research, tracing the biographies of Neuhuys and Zilcken, and understanding the art institutions they were connected to. By doing so, we can uncover the networks and relationships that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands. Letters such as these help us to interpret the social context that makes art meaningful.