Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1893

This "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken" was likely made in 1893, composed of paper, ink, and the postal system. The materials are humble, ubiquitous, and cheap, befitting its purpose as a form of mass communication. Consider the social implications of this object, which democratized communication through industrial production. The writing itself is a hybrid of mechanized printing and handwriting. Each mark and stamp tells a story of its journey through the postal system, an essential component of modernity. The postal worker would have to be on time, while navigating the city, and correctly deliver the letter. In this light, even a mundane object like this speaks volumes about labor, and the material conditions of life in the late 19th century. Appreciating this historical context helps us break down assumptions about art, by acknowledging how design and craft intersect with broader social and economic forces.