Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1891 - 1898

This letter was written in French by Marcellin Desboutin in Paris on August 24, 1891. Desboutin, born in 1823, was a 19th-century French painter and printmaker, known for his portraits of Parisian society. The letter's intimate tone gives us a glimpse into Desboutin’s world, one shaped by artistic endeavors and the relationships that sustained them. Though the exact content of the letter is unknown, it is likely addressed to Philip Zilcken, who was a Dutch painter, printmaker, art critic, and writer. Considering Zilcken's own line of work, it's possible that the letter concerns an exhibition. These missives were more than mere communications; they were threads in the social fabric of the art world, where reputations were made, and collaborations were forged. The act of writing itself becomes a performance, a means of constructing identity and negotiating social position. In a world that often marginalized artists, Desboutin's letter is a testament to the power of human connection and the enduring quest for recognition and belonging.