Aantekening uit archief Philip Zilcken 1855 - 1904

This is a note from the archive of Philip Zilcken, handwritten by Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg. It lists "all etchings portraits with dedication" to a "S.S. Avery" and "all original etchings Mr. Avery has got." Archival documents like this offer a window into the art world's networks of patronage and exchange. Tersteeg, as an artist, likely benefitted from the support of figures like S.S. Avery, who collected etchings and portraits. The act of dedication inscribed on a piece transforms it from a mere object into a token of connection. These exchanges were underpinned by social hierarchies, where wealth and influence shaped artistic careers. The emotional economy of art collecting and the intimate relationships between artists and patrons often remain hidden. This small note hints at the complex web of interactions which sustained the art world and continue to influence the circulation and valuation of art today.