Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1896 - 1897

Arnold Paul Constant Ising created this Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken in the Netherlands, using ink on paper, sometime around 1891. The humble postcard offers us a glimpse into the social networks and habits of the late 19th century. Here, we can see how communication technologies of the time were used to maintain relationships, both personal and professional. The stamp and postmarks tell us about the institutional framework that made this exchange possible: the postal service, a key element in the infrastructure of the modern state, and a source of revenue. Consider the class dynamics implied by this exchange. Who had the leisure and resources to engage in such correspondence? How did this form of communication shape social and cultural life at the time? By studying such seemingly mundane objects, we can gain insight into the social and institutional contexts that shaped artistic production and reception during this period. Archival research into postal history, social networks, and communication technologies would provide further context for understanding this artwork.