Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1893 - 1895

Herman Gorter crafted this 'Briefkaart aan Jan Veth' on paper with ink, creating a dialogue between text and form. The postcard's visual field is dominated by faded inscriptions and postal marks, evoking a sense of time and transience. The careful arrangement of the address and sender details, alongside the stamp, creates a structured yet informal composition. This layout underscores the communicative function of the postcard itself. Notice how the faded ink and water stains on the fibrous surface add layers of texture, enriching our tactile and temporal experience. The handwriting and smudged stamps invite us to consider the material presence of the postcard as a cultural artifact. Its layout challenges conventional notions of space, perception and communication, by creating a semiotic system in which each detail—from the script to the postal markings—functions as a signifier, contributing to the postcard's rich cultural narrative. As such it becomes a site of ongoing interpretation.