Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1916 - 1919

This letter to Philip Zilcken was written by E.J. Tanning in London. The letter, written in French, offers a glimpse into the social networks of artists and the nature of patronage during this time. The letterhead shows the writer’s address in Old Brompton Road. She mentions being in Brighton, with expenses paid for by a committee. In effect, she is describing her experience of being supported by a patron, a common practice for artists at this time. She speaks of the importance of news from friends and family, showing the significance of the social world to her sense of artistic identity. To understand the letter fully, we would need to know more about the recipient, Zilcken, and the ‘committee’ that supported Tanning. Further research into the social and institutional history of the London art world at this time might shed more light on this fascinating document.