Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1900 - 1906

This is Willem Witsen's postcard to Philip Zilcken, created sometime around 1900. You know, sometimes the most seemingly mundane things can become the most interesting, right? I'm drawn to the contrast between the formal, pre-printed text and official stamps and the more intimate, handwritten address. It's like a little dance between the public and the private. The smudged ink and faded colors give it a real sense of history, as if it's carrying the weight of its own journey through time. Look at how the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating these soft, blurry edges. It reminds me of the way memories can fade and blur over time, leaving behind only fragments of what once was. It's fascinating to think about how such a simple object can hold so much meaning. Maybe you could see it in relation to the work of someone like Cy Twombly, with his interest in mark making and the poetics of handwriting. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is all around us, even in the most unexpected places.