Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman Possibly 1922

This postcard was sent by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst to Willem Bogtman. It’s made simply of cardstock, ink, and an adhesive stamp. Roland Holst applied ink to the cardstock using a pen, to write a brief message to his recipient. The handwriting shows a personal touch, a direct connection between the artist and his friend. A printed stamp, itself a multiple produced via industrial means, was then affixed to the cardstock, and postmarked with a cancellation. The materials speak to the social context of communication at the time, a mixture of personal craft and industrial production. It's easy to overlook the importance of such everyday objects, but they demonstrate the intersection of labor, politics, and consumption in our lives. Appreciating the materials, making, and context is essential to understanding its significance, blurring the line between fine art and craft.