Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1893

This is a Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken, or Postcard to Philip Zilcken, made in 1893, by Jan Veth. In it we can see the postal history of the Netherlands. The postal system reveals much about the social and economic structures of its time. The presence of stamps, postmarks, and printed addresses speaks to the increasing literacy, organization, and interconnectedness of Dutch society in the late 19th century. The postcard itself, as a relatively inexpensive and accessible form of communication, democratized information sharing and social connection. Who were Veth and Zilcken, and what was their relationship? By studying archival materials like letters, diaries, and institutional records, we can reconstruct the personal and professional networks that shaped artistic production and consumption. This postcard is not merely an artifact of communication, but a window into the social world of the artist. It speaks to the institutions that supported and shaped the production and reception of art.