Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken 1915

This is a postcard by F.M. Melchers, though we don’t know exactly when it was made. What grabs me first are the stamps, each a tiny rectangle of colored paper. The stamps are like miniature paintings, each with its own distinct character. The shades aren’t too saturated; they have a chalky matte finish to them. There’s a stamp on this card that uses line work and a circular composition. It's a simple way to make a painting but also something to ponder about its function. The handwriting slopes gently across the surface, anchoring it to a specific moment in time. It reminds me of the work of Cy Twombly, if he worked at the post office! It's a humble, everyday object, transformed into something precious through the artist's attention and care. Art is all about embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the mundane.