Briefkaart aan Jan Veth before 1889

This is a postcard to Jan Veth written on December 2, 1889, by Jac van Looij. The visual experience is dominated by the contrast between the structured formality of the printed text and the dynamic fluidity of the handwritten script. The composition is divided into distinct zones. At the top, the printed words ‘BRIEFKAART’ form a rigid horizontal, while below, the cursive script cascades downwards in loosely organized lines. This interplay between the formal and the informal is further emphasized by the inclusion of official stamps, which punctuate the surface with their circular and geometric shapes. These elements function as semiotic markers, each shape and font conveys specific information, from the sender’s address to the postal service’s validation. Ultimately, the postcard operates within a system of signs. The handwriting itself becomes a personal expression, a gesture connecting sender and receiver beyond the mere conveyance of information. This careful balance between structure and expression invites us to decode the multiple layers of communication at play.