Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1893

This is "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken," a postcard made by Willem Witsen, sometime near 1892. This material artifact gives us an intimate glimpse into the social networks of the Dutch art world. Sent to Philip Zilcken, likely by someone named Nila Hélène and originating from The Hague, its frank exchange speaks to the social and cultural values of its time. Witsen, as a member of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, existed within a society undergoing rapid change. The rise of industrialization and urbanization influenced how artists perceived and represented the world. Here the personal and the political meet as it reminds us that behind every artwork is a web of human connections, shaped by the currents of history and society.