Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1899

This is a carte postale, a postcard, sent to Philip Zilcken by Adriaan Pit, likely around 1890. The postal markings indicate it was sent from Paris and received in The Hague, Netherlands. In the late 19th century, the rise of postal services and affordable cards created a surge in personal communication. Pit, as the sender, occupies a position of relative privilege. The ability to travel and maintain connections across borders speaks to a certain level of economic and social standing. Zilcken, the recipient, was a well-known artist, critic, and collector. This correspondence then hints at a network of cultural elites exchanging ideas and maintaining relationships through these brief messages. The simple act of sending a postcard carries a wealth of unspoken social and cultural information. It's a small gesture that reflects the broader societal structures of class, artistic circles, and the evolving landscape of communication in the late 19th century.