Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1897

This briefkaart, or postcard, to Philip Zilcken was sent by Marinus van der Maarel, an artist whose career unfolded during a time of rapid social and political transformation in the Netherlands. The postcard, with its handwritten script, evokes a sense of intimacy and personal connection, offering a glimpse into the social networks of artists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Zilcken, also an artist, would have likely been part of a community that exchanged ideas and support, and this postcard may have served as a simple yet meaningful form of communication between them. Consider the role of correspondence during this era, before the advent of instant communication. The postcard itself becomes a physical manifestation of a relationship, a tangible expression of connection across distance. The act of writing, sending, and receiving such a card was a gesture that carried weight and meaning, a small token of friendship and solidarity.