Briefkaart aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk Possibly 1896

This is a postcard to Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk, likely crafted around 1896, by the Dutch artist Johan Thorn Prikker. Born in the late 19th century, Prikker navigated a world of shifting artistic movements. His work moved from symbolism, with its interest in the spiritual, to art nouveau, emphasizing decorative beauty, and eventually to a more socially conscious form of expression. This card, seemingly a simple note, exists within this complex artistic trajectory. What was Prikker hoping to convey to Rijsewijk? Was it a simple hello, a professional inquiry, or something more? The artist’s flourishing script hints at the personal dimension of communication, reminding us that behind every artwork lies a web of human relationships and intentions. The act of sending a postcard itself speaks to a moment in time when personal communication was tangible, physical, and imbued with a sense of intimacy.