Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1896

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, to Philip Zilcken by Albert Verwey. Though undated, the postmarks suggest it was sent in June 1892. Verwey was a key figure in the Dutch literary movement known as De Nieuwe Gids, which challenged the conservative values of the time. Think about the implications of handwritten communication in the late 19th century, before the digital age. Postcards were a popular and intimate form of correspondence, but they also reveal social and cultural dynamics. The act of sending a postcard could be seen as a deliberate choice to share a message publicly, as it could be read by anyone who handled it. Consider how the sender and receiver were situated within Dutch society at the time, and how their identities might have influenced the tone and content of the message. While seemingly simple, this briefkaart opens a window into a world of personal connections and broader cultural shifts. It reminds us that even the most ordinary objects can tell stories about who we are and where we come from.