Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1913

This is a letter written by Joseph Pennell likely in the early 20th century. It's a simple note, but it connects us to the social and institutional world of art at that time. Pennell was an American expatriate artist known for his etchings and lithographs. He lived in London. Letters like this one offer a glimpse into the relationships between artists, critics, and patrons. Philip Zilcken was a Dutch artist, art critic, and writer. The location at the top of the page, '3, Adelphi Terrace House,' gives us a specific connection to London's artistic circles, to the network of relationships between artists and writers who shaped the art world. The very act of corresponding shows the importance of personal connections in artistic success. To understand this letter fully, one would need to delve into the archives, to reconstruct the networks of artists and critics that defined the art world of Pennell's time. These networks played a crucial role in shaping artistic taste and determining which artists would succeed.