Brief aan Philip Zilcken 1867 - 1921

This is a letter to Philip Zilcken by Marinus van der Maarel, though we don't know exactly when it was written. Van der Maarel was a Dutch painter of the Hague School, a group who lived and worked in the Netherlands between 1860 and 1890. Letters can be seen as autobiographical acts, revealing the intricate power dynamics between individuals. The simple act of handwriting embodies a personal connection, a tangible link between the author and recipient. When we consider this letter, we might ask ourselves what details of the time and context are revealed, and what are concealed? What does it mean to communicate with a fellow painter, and how does that shape the message and its tone? Consider the act of writing itself. How does it shape and reflect our identities and relationships, and what remains unsaid?