Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1906

This 'Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken' was sent in 1906. Even a mundane object, such as this postcard, can offer us a glimpse into the enduring human impulse to communicate across space and time. At the top right, the stamp of the Netherlands features a heraldic symbol. As a national emblem it connects local administrative functions with broader themes of identity, and belonging. We can see how the symbolic function of the state has carried over time; consider Roman coins emblazoned with emperors, each an attempt to project power, and cement a shared identity. The movement of a letter through a postal system has become a powerful signifier of personal connection. When we see this card we sense the imprint of human intentions, not just from the sender to the recipient but from the artist who created the card to us, the viewers. This card, now held in a museum, has an emotional and psychological value.