Briefkaart aan August Allebé Possibly 1914 - 1918

This "Briefkaart aan August Allebé" by Nettie van Haaften is a postcard whose muted palette and linear structure draws our attention. The composition is divided into distinct zones defined by text and emblems, a clear semiotic system communicating sender, recipient, and postal transit. The handwriting in the lower right uses cursive script to address Professor Allebé in Amsterdam. Notice how the script creates a fluid texture, contrasting with the geometric precision of the postal stamps and official seals. These graphic elements act as signifiers of state authority and bureaucratic process. The arrangement of text and symbols isn't merely functional but also constructs a narrative about communication, distance, and social hierarchy. Ultimately, the interplay between the handwritten and the printed, the personal and the official, invites us to consider how everyday objects like postcards can become carriers of complex social meanings, reflecting the structures of communication in a specific cultural moment.