Brief aan Philip Zilcken before 1911

This is Léonce Bénédite’s letter to Philip Zilcken, written in Paris on January 10, 1910. Bénédite was the curator of the Musée du Luxembourg, and his correspondence sheds light on the art world of early 20th-century France. This letter refers to the "Exposition des Orientalistes," revealing the Orientalist movement of the time. These exhibitions, common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, displayed art that often exoticized and misrepresented non-Western cultures, reflecting and perpetuating colonial power dynamics. This is evidenced by the instruction in this letter to send 25 to 30 ‘cases’ for the exhibition. Bénédite's letter provides a glimpse into the administration of art and exhibitions. It allows us to consider how cultural institutions and individuals like Bénédite played a role in shaping public perceptions of different cultures. While seemingly a simple note, it speaks volumes about the intersection of art, power, and representation in a specific historical context.