Briefkaart aan Jan Veth before 1899

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent by Willem Witsen, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Consider the crest at the upper left; a heraldic symbol of power and lineage, it echoes emblems found on ancient shields and medieval banners. Such motifs speak to a deep-seated human desire for identity, status, and connection to the past. Crests and seals have appeared across cultures throughout history. From royal families to trade guilds, these marks signify authority, authenticity, and belonging. Their presence on something as commonplace as a postcard suggests an attempt to imbue the everyday with a sense of tradition and importance. Think of the psychological weight such symbols carry, tapping into our collective memory and subconscious associations with power and prestige. The act of sending this briefkaart becomes more than a simple communication; it is an assertion of identity, a nod to history, and a powerful, if subtle, engagement with the viewer's own sense of place within a larger cultural narrative. The image represents the cyclical progression of symbols throughout time, resurfacing, and evolving to reflect the values and aspirations of each new era.