Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1927

Curator: This is a fascinating piece of ephemera titled "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken," thought to be from around 1927. It’s a postcard, made with ink on paper. We know the Rijksmuseum holds it. Editor: Immediately, I’m drawn to the handwriting. It has such a confident flow, yet it's also very personal. It feels almost like peeking into someone's private correspondence. Curator: Exactly! The handwritten aspect emphasizes its place within the modernist movement where calligraphy had its place renewed alongside other visual practices. The stamp from The Hague, stars surrounding it, is a striking addition to its overall composition. Editor: The modernist connection is key. We see calligraphy embracing new forms and purposes outside its purely functional role. It also offers a snapshot into the cultural institutions that valued and preserved this personal correspondence. Curator: Absolutely, postcards themselves offer an insight into social life and networks of the era. It seems this postcard was created to be quicker and more simple than using letters. Editor: The phrase "VLUGGER VERZENDING" that appears near “POSTZEGELS-RECHTS BOVEN IN DEN HOEK!” – suggesting faster sending – underlines its practicality. It captures how everyday communication was evolving. But who was Phillip Zilcken? And who wrote this card? It adds layers of mystery, really. Curator: Philip Zilcken was, indeed, a man of prominence. He had dedicated himself to etching techniques, creating an impressive portfolio as both an artist and art critic, while the author listed as P.H. Alen Gogelweg seems more mysterious... Editor: So, this postcard might hint to relationships that stretched across different corners of the art world. Curator: Indeed! Looking at its materiality and the marks of its journey, it allows us to appreciate an ordinary message transcending its medium, turning into a little historical puzzle. Editor: Absolutely, I feel like these little gems tell big stories. Curator: Indeed! A simple note carries a remarkable glimpse into history.