Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1919

Curator: Up next we have a fascinating peek into the artistic correspondence of Adriaan Pit with his "Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken," likely from 1919, presently held at the Rijksmuseum. It appears to be rendered primarily in pen and ink. Editor: A postcard, eh? Well, I must say, even something as small as this little gem exudes an almost melancholic charm. The faded ink and hurried script give the impression of a quickly jotted thought bubble. It makes me wonder what exactly was on the sender's mind. Curator: Given the turbulent sociopolitical climate immediately following World War I, personal correspondences such as this, though seemingly simple, offer insights into the cultural landscape of the time. Pit's casual yet deliberate use of Dutch hand-lettering emphasizes a national pride. Editor: National pride, right enough. Still, I feel like it’s more immediate. The tight handwriting crammed on every corner creates the image of the need to get something down urgently, a snippet from the soul set down for eternity. Curator: Absolutely, it functions as an indexical marker connecting the past with the present moment. We can delve deeper into how Pit strategically positions himself as both a professional and intimate individual, navigating complex social hierarchies within artistic circles of the period. This speaks to art as social practice, no? Editor: As someone looking at this, untethered from that context, the little coat-of-arms stamps are kind of fun. Reminds me of searching my grandparents’ house, like a treasure map filled with coded memories, more personal than political to me. Curator: That’s valid. But it’s through understanding those political dimensions, like post-war reconstruction efforts, that we gain a comprehensive understanding of works of this period. Editor: Sure, sure... context is king. But, even understanding none of it, a humble thing like a postcard can transport you to a place. It has a feeling of urgency about life that all of us creatives recognize. I just love it, because it is so spontaneous. Curator: Agreed! Spontaneity aside, it is valuable precisely as an artifact and signifier of its socio-historical epoch. Editor: So we’re both in accord? The history’s grand but it also is something human that you can carry with you! That’s quite an image!