Briefkaart aan Jan Veth before 1891

Here we see a postcard to Jan Veth by Wally Moes, likely dating from around 1911, created with ink on paper. The faint lilac of the paper, stamped emblems, and the dark purple ink create a delicate yet formal composition. The careful arrangement of the textual elements across the rectangular surface speaks volumes about the semiotics of correspondence. The stamps, with their circular forms, anchor the upper corners, framing the central written message. The handwritten script, elegant and flowing, contrasts with the block-printed word "BRIEFKAART," creating a visual dialogue between personal expression and standardized communication. Even the placement of the postmark is integral. It acts as a signifier of time and place, subtly challenging fixed meanings by layering bureaucratic function with personal sentiment. The contrast between the structured elements and the intimate script invites us to reconsider the boundaries between public and private, official and personal.