Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1917

This is a pre-digital-era "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken" (Postcard to Philip Zilcken) by Maurits van der Valk. In its time, this small piece of mail acted as a conveyor of written messages and a symbol of personal connection, revealing aspects of social and professional networks of the time. The card is addressed to Zilcken as 'Kunstschilder' - artist in Dutch. In that era, class status often dictated one's access to education and artistic training. The act of corresponding with another artist suggests a shared social standing and cultural interest. Additionally, the card provides clues about the geographical mobility of artists. The postmark indicates its journey from Bezuidenhout to The Hague. The choice to send a physical card rather than a verbal message speaks to the cultural value placed on written communication and tangible objects. In our current world of instant communication, the emotional weight of a handwritten note carries a distinct quality of time, care, and intention.