Briefkaart aan Jan Ponstijn c. 1913 - 1919

Curator: Welcome. Here we have a mixed-media drawing by Leo Gestel, titled "Briefkaart aan Jan Ponstijn." It’s estimated to have been created sometime between 1913 and 1919, and the Rijksmuseum holds it in their collection. Editor: It’s such a personal artifact. The first thing that strikes me is the hurried, almost anxious energy of the handwriting. You can feel a sense of immediacy. Curator: Indeed. Gestel’s Expressionist style really comes through, even in something so ostensibly informal. The ink on paper, combined with elements that suggest a personal sketchbook—the homemade paper, the aged quality— speaks volumes. Editor: I wonder about the addressee, Jan Ponstijn. Was this an urgent communication? And who is Comelin Beschuit, the opening addressee. I notice a little sketch at the bottom—figures, perhaps engaged in intense conversation? It all hints at a world of artistic exchange and collaboration. Curator: That's a keen observation. Expressionism was, after all, deeply rooted in subjective experience and emotional response. This postcard acts almost as a cultural artifact; a small piece of the avant-garde's socio-artistic network is exposed through it. The immediacy, as you noticed, is paramount; it lacks the formal staging of an exhibition piece. Editor: Yes. Also, it's a striking example of the art existing *because* of institutions and because of socio-political conditions. Wars raging in Europe created conditions for artists to work, explore and communicate in very specific ways. Curator: And handwritten notes or even sketches on the postcard became vessels through which ideas, hopes, and even mundane daily matters flowed. They offer a compelling glimpse into the cultural life of the early 20th century. Editor: Absolutely. Examining this piece reminds us that artworks aren’t just isolated objects. They are embedded in social fabrics, reflecting and shaping the world around them. Curator: And sometimes, it's the seemingly ephemeral pieces like this, carrying fleeting moments, that offer the most profound insights.