Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1902 - 1917

This 'Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken' was made at some point in the late 19th or early 20th century, probably with ink on paper. It shows the various stamps and markings accumulated by a postcard in transit. Look at the way the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating soft edges around each character. It's like the words are breathing, expanding slightly beyond their defined forms, a testament to the passage of time and the materiality of the ink itself. I love the way the information is arranged. There is a central address in looping cursive text which is framed by the typography and stamp marks. And then there's the contrast between the rigid, pre-printed text of "Carte Postale" and the fluid, handwritten address. It highlights the tension between standardized communication and personal expression. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s paintings, in that the writing contains both legible and illegible elements, blurring the line between language and abstraction. It's all part of the ongoing conversation that is art.