Briefkaart aan de heer J.J.W.B. van Dijck Possibly 1933

Here's an audio guide script for the artwork provided: This briefkaart, or postcard, was sent in 1933 by Johannes Franciscus Maria Sterck, a Dutch artist. It's a simple piece, but it opens a window onto the social values of the Netherlands during the interwar period. Note the stamp: “Koopt Weldaadigheidspostzegels voor het Kind," meaning "Buy charity stamps for the child." This wasn't just about postal service, but about funding welfare initiatives. The 1930s saw increasing state intervention in social support across Europe, but it often relied on the voluntary participation and charitable giving of citizens. This postcard offers a glimpse into the ways that ordinary people were encouraged to participate in these systems. The very act of sending a greeting became a small act of social responsibility. To understand this fully, we would need to delve into archives of Dutch social policy, charitable organizations, and postal history to uncover how these systems worked on the ground. This helps us see how deeply enmeshed art is within the social and institutional contexts of its time.