Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1887

This is a 'briefkaart', or postcard, sent to Jan Veth by Jac van Looij, likely dating from 1887, as indicated by the postmarks. While seemingly simple, the symbols here resonate with deeper meanings. The coat of arms, with its crowned lion rampant, speaks to the heraldic traditions of civic and national identity. Across time, lions have appeared in royal emblems, from the Lion Gate of Mycenae to the English monarchy, each time imbued with ideas of courage, power, and nobility. Even the humble postage stamp, with its numerical denomination, echoes the symbolic use of numbers in art and culture. Consider how numbers appear in religious texts, myths, and philosophical systems across civilizations. They carry a subconscious weight, engaging us on a primal level. The cyclical progression of symbols continues, resurfacing in new contexts, evolving, and perpetually shaping how we perceive and give meaning to our world.