Brief aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1887

This is a letter written by Émile Guimet to Philip Zilcken in Lyon, dated June 2nd, 1887. Guimet, an industrialist with a passion for travel and Asian cultures, founded the Musée Guimet in Paris, dedicated to Asian art and culture. Guimet’s project emerged during a period of intense colonialism, and his collection reflects the complex dynamics of cultural exchange and power imbalances inherent in that era. This letter provides a glimpse into the administrative and financial aspects of acquiring and valuing art objects, and references bronze objects of Asian origin. How might Guimet’s collecting practices be viewed through a postcolonial lens? We are prompted to consider the ethical implications of collecting cultural artifacts from colonized regions, as well as how these objects were recontextualized within a European museum setting. This letter serves as a reminder of the personal histories that are embedded within museum collections.