Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1922

This is the back of a postcard to Philip Zilcken, penned by Jan Toorop in the late 19th or early 20th century. Here we see emblems of state – seals and stamps, each bearing a crowned heraldic lion. The lion, a symbol of strength and courage, has ancient roots, appearing across cultures from Mesopotamia to Europe. Consider its evolution: in ancient Persia, it represented royalty; in medieval Europe, it became a symbol of kings and nobles, adorning flags and coats of arms. This lion, a potent symbol of power, carries within it centuries of collective memory. The act of sealing a letter itself carries symbolic weight. It suggests a desire for privacy, security, a wish to protect the contents from prying eyes. Like an emblem, a seal safeguards the personal. These symbols, seemingly mundane, resonate deeply, linking us to the past and revealing our enduring fascination with symbols of authority and identity.