Brief aan Philip Zilcken before 1889

This is a letter written by Jules Destrée to Philip Zilcken, and though undated, it gives us insight into the artistic networks of Belgium in the late 19th century. Destrée was a lawyer, politician, and writer who passionately advocated for Walloon cultural identity. Here, Destrée references ‘Les XX’, an exhibiting society formed in 1883 by artists excluded from the official Salon. Les XX sought to challenge artistic conventions and promote innovation, including Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. They only lasted for ten years but played a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape of Belgium. Destrée's letter shows his involvement in the cultural debates of his time. We also learn about La Jeune Belgique, a literary magazine. By tracing such references through archives, we gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional contexts that shaped artistic production in this era.