Briefkaart aan Adrianus Daniël de Vries Azn. before 1878

Editor: This is an image of a postcard to Adrianus Daniël de Vries Azn., dating from before 1878, a drawing in ink on paper by P.A. Tiele. It seems quite formal, with stamps and very careful calligraphy. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: What jumps out to me is the evidence of a bureaucratic system at work. This postcard, though seemingly mundane, highlights the rise of standardized communication. Look at the pre-printed format, the postal markings, even the clearly delineated space for the address. All of this speaks to a society becoming increasingly interconnected yet also increasingly controlled and categorized. It almost begs us to consider: who benefitted from these systems, and who was marginalized? Editor: That’s interesting. I was just thinking about the personal connection – someone sending a handwritten note. Curator: And that tension, between the personal and the systematic, is precisely what makes it so compelling. The beautiful, flowing script suggests individuality, yet it is contained within the rigid framework of the postal system. What do we make of this meeting between public systems and private sentiments? How did the growth of postal systems impact marginalized communities that may not have had access to literacy or even a fixed address? Editor: So you’re saying this postcard isn’t just a message; it’s a symbol of societal changes? Curator: Precisely. It’s a material artifact of its time, reflecting evolving power structures and the changing nature of communication. Thinking about the intended recipient is important, but we must look to broader social changes too. It is through this type of object that we start to see our own histories mirrored in the past. Editor: I never thought I’d see so much in an old postcard! Thank you. Curator: My pleasure! Approaching artworks with an activist lens can reveal histories and narratives often overlooked, giving us space to challenge and reflect on the dominant narrative.