Briefkaart aan Jan Veth Possibly 1884

This is a postcard, a Briefkaart, to Jan Veth, sent in 1884 by Willem Witsen. The seals on the card show an emblem of power, a crowned heraldic lion, marking the authority of the Dutch state. This lion, a symbol of strength and courage, recurs throughout history, echoing the Lion Gate of Mycenae and appearing in countless forms across different cultures. Consider how the image of the lion has transformed across millennia, from ancient protector to medieval standard, each adaptation layered with the aspirations and anxieties of its time. The act of sealing, too, carries weight. Like ancient signet rings impressing marks on wax, these official stamps legitimize and validate communication. We might think of the ways that memory and primal emotions attach themselves to these images, influencing both the sender and receiver. Such images have an enduring psychological effect, continuing to engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, embodying an appeal to history, a claim to power, and a promise of stability.