Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1891 - 1897

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent by Tony Lodewijk George Offermans to Philip Zilcken, likely in the Netherlands around the turn of the 20th century. At this time the Dutch state was solidifying its institutions, which is expressed here visually. A formal coat of arms, stamp, and postmark provide a clear expression of state power and bureaucracy. Zilcken, the recipient, is named as ‘kunstshilder’ or artist, suggesting that he and Offermans were both part of a specific cultural circle. What might they have thought about these expressions of state power? Were they beneficiaries of state patronage, or did they feel stifled by what may have seemed an oppressive regime? Historians of art have often used postal records, like this postcard, to reconstruct artistic networks and to track the movement of art objects. The postcard format was a crucial part of the social and cultural history of late 19th century Europe, offering us a glimpse into the everyday life of the artists who made it.