Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1886

This ‘Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken’ was created by Hermanus Gijsbertus Tersteeg. While the exact date of creation remains unknown, its existence offers a glimpse into the intersections of art, communication, and personal connection in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Stamped with the official seal of the Dutch postal service and addressed in elegant handwriting, the postcard speaks to a time when written correspondence was a primary mode of communication. Envelopes such as these served not only as a means of delivering messages but also as a reflection of societal values around literacy, class, and social etiquette. The act of sending a postcard was itself a social performance, signifying a connection between sender and recipient. Consider how this simple piece of personal communication evokes broader questions about how we connect with one another.