Hoofdpostkantoor te Amsterdam 1905 - 1940

This little postcard shows the Hoofdpostkantoor in Amsterdam, and although the artist is unknown, it's clear they were working with a limited palette, focusing on soft, muted tones. This adds to the sense of nostalgia and quiet observation. It’s the texture that grabs me. The anonymous artist uses a grainy, almost pointillist technique to build up the image. Look closely, and you’ll see how each tiny dot of color contributes to the overall form, creating a shimmering effect on the building's facade. This reminds me of Seurat, though with a more subtle touch. There’s also a fascinating contrast between the precision of the architectural details and the looser, more expressive rendering of the sky and surrounding streets. In a way, it feels like a precursor to photorealism, but with a handmade, painterly quality that sets it apart. It’s a postcard, yes, but it's also a thoughtful reflection on the act of seeing and recording the world around us.