Twee visitekaartjes aan Philip Zilcken before 1929

These two visiting cards were likely produced in the early twentieth century in Paris by Jean Buhot, presumably to promote his wife Madame Felix Buhot. The cards are made simply with ink on card stock, a humble means of production. The handwritten message, wishing the recipient well for the New Year, is a personal touch that reflects a time when social interactions were more formal and direct. The cards function as both a means of self-promotion and a gesture of goodwill, illustrating the intersection of social and economic practices in the art world. The mode of production, which involved manual writing rather than mechanized printing, emphasizes the labor involved. This kind of personal touch was a way to stand out, but also shows the intimate connection between the artist and the recipient, a form of social currency. It is an example of how everyday objects can carry significant social and cultural meaning.