Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1924

This is the back of a postcard sent in 1924 from Antwerp and inscribed by the artist Rose Imel. The card is addressed to Philip Zilcken in Nice, France. The postal markings are in both Flemish and French, reflecting Belgium's bilingual culture. Cards such as this were significant in the art world of the early 20th century. Artists would send them to collectors and fellow artists as intimate, informal gestures. They provided a means to circumvent the institutions of art, such as galleries and museums, in favor of direct and personal communication. The quick nature of postcards allowed them to stay connected with one another and stay current with each other's thinking. To fully understand the social role of this simple card, further archival research would be needed into the network of artists and collectors to which Imel and Zilcken belonged. What role did they play in the art world of the time? Art history depends on understanding these small, yet meaningful gestures.