Straat te Tervuren 1867 - 1890

Philip Zilcken made this etching, "Street in Tervuren", using drypoint techniques. It depicts a quiet street scene, likely in Belgium, given Zilcken's background and the location of Tervuren. Consider how Zilcken’s choice of such an ordinary subject reflects the rise of Realism in late 19th-century European art. Artists turned their attention to the everyday lives of common people, rather than idealized historical or mythological scenes. This shift was partly driven by social and political changes, including growing urbanization and industrialization. The art institutions of the time, such as the Salons, struggled to accommodate these new subjects and styles. By focusing on a humble village street, Zilcken might be subtly commenting on these changes. His work invites us to look closely at the unglamorous aspects of modern life. To fully understand this etching, we can research the art criticism and exhibition records from the period. In doing so, we can discover how his contemporaries viewed his work, and the place of such scenes in the changing art world.