Prentbriefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1916 - 1919

This is a postcard to Philip Zilcken, created by Leopoldo Bizio Gradenigo, and postmarked September 4, 1916. On the back, we see stamps and a censor's mark, reminders of its journey across borders during World War I. The handwritten message in French speaks of gratitude and resilience amidst disaster, likely referring to wartime events. The line ‘Malgré le désastre de I. Maria Formosa, non palais resta prodigieusement intact’ reveals a personal connection to the destruction. This postcard transcends its simple form, becoming a poignant artifact of personal correspondence marked by the upheaval of war. How did Gradenigo navigate his identity and artistic expression during this period of conflict and uncertainty? And what did it mean for Zilcken to receive such a message, knowing it had to pass inspection? In its small way, this postcard serves as a symbol of human connection, carrying hopes and memories across a world in turmoil.