Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1928

This postcard to Philip Zilcken is composed of varied textual elements, from the printed "République Française" to the handwritten address. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the cancellation stamps, which overlap with the postage stamp. These marks interrupt the neat lines designated for the address, creating a sense of chronological layering. The formal structure of the postcard is divided into distinct zones: the upper portion for official postal information, and the lower area for the address itself. This division reflects a structuralist approach to communication, where each element serves a specific function within a larger system. The handwritten text, with its varying pressure and flow, contrasts with the uniformity of the printed words. This contrast highlights the personal intervention within a standardized form. The overall composition challenges the notion of fixed meaning, suggesting that even within a structured framework, individual expression can emerge. The postcard then, becomes a canvas where official and personal narratives intersect.