Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1897

This is Eduard Karsen’s postcard to Philip Zilcken, bearing symbols of its time. At the top left, we see the coat of arms, a heraldic device signifying the Dutch state. The lion rampant – a symbol of courage, nobility, royalty and strength – dates back centuries, to the medieval period. Interestingly, the lion as a symbol of strength echoes in different cultures, such as the Lion Gate at Mycenae, a symbol of power and protection dating back to the Bronze Age. Such symbols evoke a powerful resonance, tapping into a collective memory, a visual language that transcends time. Even on a simple postcard, the heraldic lion unconsciously conveys a sense of enduring power, a visual echo of ancient authority. This postcard transcends its mundane function, becoming a carrier of enduring symbols that whisper tales of history, power, and cultural identity.