Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1897

This is a Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken by Hendrik Johannes Haverman, the material of which is paper. Immediately, the composition strikes us by its arrangement of various textual and graphic elements upon a neutral, pale background. The scriptive quality of Haverman’s handwriting, and the stamps, not only serve a communicative function but also introduce formal variations in texture and tonality. The contrast between the neat, printed lettering of 'BRIEFKAART' and the fluid, cursive script of the handwritten message complicates the visual field, creating a dialogue between intention and accident. Each stamp bears its own unique design, contributing to a rich visual interplay across the surface of the card. We might consider this work through the lens of semiotics; the card itself functions as a sign, where each element contributes to a layered system of meaning beyond the literal message. It is a record of communication, now transformed into an artifact of aesthetic contemplation.