Briefkaart aan jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout (1879-1969) Possibly 1932 - 1933

Editor: So, this is "Briefkaart aan jonkheer Hendrik Teding van Berkhout," a postcard to Squire Hendrik Teding van Berkhout, possibly from 1932 or '33, by Henri Verstijnen. It's ink on paper, really delicate. I'm struck by how personal it feels, like a glimpse into a very specific moment in time. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Ah, yes, a postcard - whispers carried across time. You know, to me, it's more than just ink on paper, it’s a portal. See the hand-lettering, how each flourish hints at the personality of the sender? This isn't just a message; it's a tiny performance. Imagine Verstijnen, carefully crafting each letter, choosing each word to make his mark. Have you ever written a postcard with such intention? Editor: Not really, I usually just scribble something quick! I never thought about it as a performance. It seems like he's writing to someone important, a director? Curator: Exactly! The *jonkheer*, the director of the print room – these details paint a picture of a cultural landscape, a network of artists and patrons. It's fascinating to consider what this brief card might have contained – perhaps a query, a thanks you, or a gentle nudge, hinting at professional or social nuances of that time? Do you get that impression, too? Editor: Definitely, it feels very formal but still friendly, almost intimate somehow. It also has some art/sketchbook qualities, it looks very artsy in some way. Curator: I think you’ve hit it on the nose! Imagine finding this treasure in someone’s attic. Editor: It’s definitely given me a new appreciation for the art of letter-writing! Curator: Indeed, a forgotten art, wouldn't you say? Perhaps this inspires us both to slow down, pick up a pen, and craft our own tiny performances on paper.