Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1899

This is a 1899 postcard to Philip Zilcken by Albert Verwey, offering us a glimpse into the intimate correspondence of the fin-de-siècle art world. Verwey, a poet associated with the Dutch literary movement De Nieuwe Gids, sent this briefkaart amidst a period of artistic and intellectual ferment. The postcard format itself speaks to a shift in communication, allowing for quick, accessible exchanges. But who were Zilcken and Verwey, and what was the nature of their connection? Zilcken was an artist and art critic. These exchanges fostered a community that shaped the aesthetic and intellectual landscape of the Netherlands. Consider the handwritten script, the official stamps, and the economy of language: each element tells a story about the social rituals and personal connections of the time. It serves as a poignant reminder of the layers of history embedded in the simplest of objects. It offers us a tangible link to their world.