Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1915

This briefkaart, or postcard, was sent to Philip Zilcken in 1915 by Fenna de Meyier. Here, the sender’s message, address, stamp, and postmark converge as artifacts carrying social and historical weight. Consider the image of the postmark, which repeats the date within a circular emblem and is crowned by four stars. The circle is one of humanity’s most ancient symbols, representing wholeness and eternity. The stars overhead evoke celestial guidance, which have guided navigators since time immemorial. Yet, even symbols are subject to the vicissitudes of time, their meanings mutable, and their interpretations varied. These symbols persist, speaking to us across time, reminding us of our shared cultural and psychological heritage. They surface and resurface, echoing through the corridors of art history, constantly evolving and adapting to new contexts, their psychological resonance never truly fading.