Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1889

Here we see a postcard to Philip Zilcken, its symbols a quiet echo of broader cultural forces at play. The coat of arms at the top left, with its crowned heraldic lion, is a clear marker of authority and nationhood, reminiscent of similar emblems used across Europe to project power and stability. Yet, observe how this symbol is rendered here – small, almost delicate, on a humble piece of mail. It contrasts starkly with the monumental scale one often associates with national symbols. In ancient Egypt, the lion was a solar symbol associated with power, royalty, and protection, a tradition carried on throughout the ancient Near East. Here, the collective memory associated with the lion – of strength, dominance, and lineage – is subtly subverted, made personal through the act of correspondence. Even now, the image retains its emotional resonance, inviting contemplation on how we internalize and negotiate such symbols in our everyday lives. The non-linear progression of the symbol makes it resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.