Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1896 - 1899

This 'Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken' was made by Theo van Hoytema, a simple message, but it carries echoes far beyond its immediate context. Note the four-leaf clover stamped beside 's Gravenhage'. This symbol, immediately recognizable for its promise of luck, has roots stretching back to ancient Celtic traditions, where it was revered by druids. But consider its journey, how its evocation of chance and fortune has permeated cultures, reappearing in medieval heraldry and modern-day talismans. Even the act of sending a postcard becomes imbued with a sense of hope. Think of this clover, this vestige of a bygone world, now compressed into a fleeting gesture of correspondence. The subconscious desire for good fortune speaks to our enduring need for hope in an uncertain world. This small token serves as a reminder that symbols and iconography hold power because they tap into collective dreams and anxieties. Like an ancient spell, the clover connects us to a non-linear progression, ever resurfacing, forever changed.