Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1918

Curator: This unassuming "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken," dating to before 1918 and housed at the Rijksmuseum, offers a fascinating glimpse into the correspondence of Hendrik Petrus Berlage, rendered simply in ink on paper. Editor: You know, it looks less like fine art and more like something snatched from someone's desk. Like a quick note to a friend. But that's what I like about it—the intimacy. It's got this immediacy. Curator: Precisely. Berlage's postcards weren't merely functional; they were exercises in typography and design. We see him experimenting with hand-lettering, creating a visual language even in personal communication. The Rijksmuseum highlights these cards for how well they show Berlage's distinctive style outside his architectural work. Editor: Visual language is spot on! The handwritten fonts scream, "early 20th century," all those curlicues, but practical, right? Postcards are for sending, not staring at! It's fascinating seeing what he valued enough to put on that limited space, as someone looking over his shoulder almost a century later. Curator: Indeed, these postcards offer us a window into the cultural milieu. Consider the postal markings; they’re a time capsule revealing details about the postal service, political symbols and stamp values of that era. Berlage’s work, especially viewed in this collection at the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the era’s commitment to functional beauty across all societal levels. Editor: Right. You see a piece of paper, I see all of that—society! Just goes to show there's more than meets the eye with "just a postcard." Curator: It is deceptively rich with sociohistorical material! It invites us to reassess the concept of ‘high’ and ‘low’ art, questioning the value judgments placed on objects of daily use. Editor: Definitely gives you a new appreciation for throwing junk mail into the recycle bin. I will consider the postal artistry when opening them today!