Prentbriefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1917

This handwritten postcard addressed to Philip Zilcken was made by Leopoldo Bizio Gradenigo, sometime in the early 20th Century. The mark-making in this piece is fascinating. It's all about the layering of different elements. You've got the controlled strokes of the cursive script, interspersed with the more chaotic stamps and postal markings. It's like a dance between order and chance, a process that mirrors the unpredictable nature of art-making itself. Look at the stamps, carefully placed, yet slightly askew. They are so physical, their embossed profiles contrasting with the flat surface of the card. See how the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating a halo effect? These details reveal the texture and materiality of the piece. It reminds me of the Italian futurist's fascination with speed and the urban environment. This little piece of mail reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation across time and space, inviting multiple interpretations and embracing ambiguity.